Since 2020, schools in New Zealand have been suspending students who smoke or use e-cigarettes due to the popularity of these habits among young people. As of now, nearly 20,000 students have been suspended.
A report from the New Zealand Ministry of Education states, "Smoking-related illnesses caused work stoppages for 1,210 people in 2020, which increased to 2,865 people in 2021, making up 59% of the total increase in work-related illnesses during the period of 2020-2021.
A report has stated that among the 75% of individuals who have experienced a rise in numbers between 2020 and 2021, smoking or using electronic cigarettes is considered to be at least partially responsible for the increase.
Ben Youdan, Director of the Smoke-Free 2025 campaign, stated that while they do not want young people to smoke or use e-cigarettes, they also do not want schools to suspend students from their studies as a result.
Youdan suggests discussing with students who use tobacco products to explain health risks and help them quit using tobacco products, as well as providing them with smoking cessation support.
A report has revealed that in 2021, 15,968 students in New Zealand schools were suspended a total of 20,980 times. This is an increase of approximately 2,800 over the previous year.
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