Vaping and smoking are bigger issues in primary schools than secondary schools in many parts of New Zealand, government figures have revealed.

Last year, more students in years 1 to 8 were stood down for vaping and smoking than those in years 9 to 13 in six out of 10 regions, according to Ministry of Education data.

The total number of students stood down for vaping or smoking increased almost 19 per cent from 2022 to 2023.

While the statistics don't separate vaping and smoking, vaping is the biggest issue, says Rotorua's Kaitao Intermediate principal Phil Palfrey.

Some students are so severely addicted, they will brazenly puff away in the classroom, he says.

"It has permeated through our schools significantly, and has caused, for some students, behavioural issues which some of them wouldn't have exhibited previously."

He understands the use of vapes as a smoking cessation tool, but says the effect of making them available to the general public is not thought through.

Many Rotorua primary and intermediate schools now share a new vaping policy focusing on educating kids and their parents.

It was penned by Palfrey, and seems to be working.

Principals were at their "wits' end" in the middle of last year, but the issue seemed to die down towards the end of the year, he says.

"I could be wrong, but I think that a lot of schools have just become better at dealing with it."

But they should not have to, he says.

Source: Ministry of Education Photo: Supplied.

The stand-down data is a measure of schools' reaction to vaping and smoking behaviour - rather than the behaviour itself, says the Ministry of Education.

"The number of these events should not be used as a proxy measure for total student behaviour."

But it indicates principals are concerned, says New Zealand Principals' Federation president Leanne Otene.

"After educating and working with young people, they really are left with no choice but to take a harder line on it."

It's a societal problem that has become a burden for schools, she says.

"We should all be concerned about this.

"This is not a problem that primary schools, or secondary school principals and their staff can deal with alone."

Calls for stronger government action

The government is not yet taking the issue seriously enough, says advocacy group Vape-free Kids co-founder Tammy Downer.

"People think that this is all kids just playing around, and it's cool, and it's appealing, and they're just trying to look cool.

"Actually a lot of these kids are seriously addicted to it, they can't concentrate in class, they can't learn."

Palfrey, Otene and Downer all agree wider systemic change is needed to keep vapes out of students' hands.

Last month, new regulations came into force requiring vapes to have a removable battery - meaning they are no longer disposable.

But that has not made an ounce of difference, says Downer, because alternatives are available and are just as cheap.

"[It] doesn't change the behaviour, people are still buying them, emptying them, throwing them in the back of the car or wherever, and buying the next one."

The new government has an opportunity to make a real difference, says Downer.

"They've said that they're going to be looking at the legislation around vaping and how to have an impact on the youth vaping epidemic.

"They really need to step up and take some significant steps to help that happen."

Education Minister Erica Stanford was unavailable for an interview, but says in a statement that she is concerned about vaping and smoking in schools - particularly in primary schools.

"The NZ First / National coalition agreement includes policies to ban disposable vaping products and increase penalties for illegal sales to those under 18," she says.

"Health officials have been asked to provide advice on the practical steps that will help stop young people from starting smoking and vaping."

-Lauren Crimp/RNZ.