The State of Youth Vaping in Schools: Youth Nicotine Prevention in Canada

Vaping is increasingly disrupting Ontario classrooms, creating new challenges for educators and school leaders. According to Health Canada, youth e-cigarette use has risen steadily over the past decade, with younger students experimenting at rates higher than ever. Schools are now on the front lines, tasked with protecting student health while fostering safe, supportive learning environments.

Provincial Prevention for Youth Nicotine Use

Vaping increases as students move through school, with rates rising sharply from Grade 8 to Grade 12. This trend highlights the importance of implementing prevention programs early, before experimentation becomes common, and ensuring they are consistent, evidence-based and tailored to students’ needs.

Toronto & Peel Insights: Youth Nicotine Prevention

Local headlines show the trend isn’t slowing down. In the Peel region, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board reported growing problems with vaping and vandalism in school washrooms, prompting the installation of vape detectors in certain schools.

One school in the Thames Valley District School Board has had a vape detector since last year, however the board says they can't afford more detectors, and their efficacy is still up in the air. These stories highlight how vaping has moved from a personal health concern to an operational and safety challenge for school leaders.

Youth Nicotine Prevention Policy Implications for Ontario Schools

Creating effective school policies for vaping requires more than compliance. It demands balancing student wellbeing with the operational, regulatory and political realities that shape school environments. School leaders must navigate these pressures while keeping student success at the centre.

Evidence-based policies for youth nicotine prevention in Canada can:

• Clearly define rules and consequences for vaping on school property while remaining fair and consistent

• Provide supportive interventions, such as counseling or referrals, for students caught vaping

• Include educational components for students, staff and parents that go beyond awareness

• Align with public health recommendations and leverage local community resources

Developing policies in this way requires creativity, collaboration and flexibility. It’s about finding practical solutions that work within existing frameworks, helping schools move from reactive enforcement to proactive prevention.

Taking Action in Youth Nicotine Prevention at the Addressing Vaping in Schools Conference

On October 20, 2025, educators, health professionals and community leaders will gather at the Toronto Vaping in Schools Conference to share real-world strategies for youth nicotine prevention in Canada. This event is designed to help Ontario schools move from reactive enforcement to proactive prevention.

Register today to learn from experts, access practical tools and take actionable steps to protect students from vaping.