UHC has been asked, along with other schools in the country, if they would promote an anti-vaping petition that has been put together. The information is below.

My name is Charlotte Christie and I am a mum to a wonderful 14 year-old boy who attends a public high school.

As we are all aware, and what has been seen on recent news, children as young as six are accessing vaping products and using them on school premises and within our community.

According to statistics from a recent Asthma Foundation survey, 20% of students are now regular users of such products and they are mostly accessed from local dairies and convenience stores. This is an alarming number of young people exposing themselves to potentially harmful toxins and chemicals with effects not yet known.

These products often appear to be the target for the extremely staggering amount of ram raids and crime that is being committed by some of the young members of our community.

I have started two petitions to remove the sale of vaping products from dairies and convenience stores.

Ban the sale of vapes in non-vape stores petition here

Remove disposable vapes and products from dairies and non specialist stores change.org here

There is also a Facebook page that anyone is free to join to find resources, share stories and experiences and to support the cause.https://www.facebook.com/groups/vapefreekidsnz