Norfolk school to use sniffer dog to deter pupils from vaping
The school says it doesn't have an issue with pupils vaping, and that the dog is being brought in as a "precautionary measure"
Last updated 1st Feb 2024
A school in Norfolk's planning to use a sniffer dog to put pupils off bringing vapes in.
Whilst the City of Norwich School says it doesn't have an issue with pupils vaping, it tells us the dog will be brought in next month, as a "precautionary measure" to educate students and deter them from taking up the activity.
A spokesperson for the City of Norwich School, which is run by the Ormiston Academies Trust said: “We do not have an issue with vaping at the school. However, we are aware this is becoming a challenge in schools generally and so are taking proactive steps to deter it.
“This initiative centres around the education of students, using assemblies to outline side effects and dangers and making information available around the school site to reiterate these important messages.
"On one day next month, a passive deterrence dog will be guided around the school site for a day, so that students can understand the role of deterrence and how this would work.
"The organisation supporting this has significant experience delivering this service in schools.
“Taken together, these precautionary measures will help students remain safe while at school and when out in the community.”
A ban on disposable vapes
This comes after the Prime Minister announced a ban on disposable vapes earlier this week.
Rishi Sunak said: "As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends at the moment is the rise in vaping among children, and so we must act before it becomes endemic.
"The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so while vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable.
"As Prime Minister I have an obligation to do what I think is the right thing for our country in the long term. That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes - which have driven the rise in youth vaping - and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.
"Alongside our commitment to stop children who turn 15 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes, these changes will leave a lasting legacy by protecting our children's health for the long term."
The policy's designed to tackle the rise in young people vaping and protecting children's health.
The announcement is part of the Government's response to its consultation on smoking and vaping, which was launched in October last year.
The ban is expected to come into force at the end of 2024 or the start of 2025.