Five-Year-Old Boy Hospitalised After Vaping At School

A five-year-old Victorian boy has been hospitalised after apparently vaping at school, his horrified father has revealed.

The young student was taken to Geelong Hospital suffering from coughing and vomiting, after reportedly taking several ‘hits’ of the e-cigarette. It’s understood the vape belonged to the mother of a seven-year-old student.

The prep student is still unwell three weeks later, with his dad saying he’s been struggling to breathe and has continued vomiting and is now being assessed for pneumonia.

“The innocence about it is so dangerous. His friend brought it to school and told him to suck on it because it tastes like grapes,” dad Steven told the Herald Sun.

“The vape was empty by the time we picked them up from school.”

Five year old vaping

This latest incident comes amid a call for tighter restrictions on colourful, fruit-flavoured vapes, because of their appeal to young children. Nicotine vapes are only available in Australia via prescription, however fruit-flavoured vapes, which can sometimes also contain small amounts of nicotine, are easier for kids to get their hands on.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says there are ‘significant health risks associated with nicotine use’.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.

42 Comments

- - Zmijka86 said
  - 31 Mar 2022
    3:31 pm
So sad and so scary. I hope that will never happen again

- - mom481502 said
  - 29 Mar 2022
    10:01 pm
Very sad and scary. I am a vaper, and would never imagine letting my child near my vape. However accidents do happen to everyone and I think its important to not be judgemental as we dont know the background and kids do sometimes get their hands on things in the house we would never intend on them going near!

- - Pollylou said
  - 29 Mar 2022
    8:23 pm
How on earth does a prep student get a vape. We have got to start taking camping more seriously

- - FE_83 said
  - 29 Mar 2022
    8:20 pm
So scary and so sad, what’s happening in the world.

- - mom111059 said
  - 29 Mar 2022
    1:26 pm
Vaping seems to be hurting our young children much worse than smoking.

- - Harp_and_banks said
  - 06 Mar 2022
    12:03 pm
Vapes should be treated in the same way we do cigarettes- no branding, colourful packaging/devices etc they look like toys, smell like lollies and are extremely inviting to younger children and teens.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 06 Mar 2022
    1:47 am
I wish the government would outlaw vapes. They are the new way to smoke, yet just as damaging and disgusting.
- mom462038 replied
  
  13 Mar 2022 , 2:51 pm
  It’s not as damaging as cigarettes, that’s the point
- - yahoo_lou said
  - 05 Mar 2022
    11:04 pm
This vapping is bad news, too many kids are drawn to it with their “flavours” and the false idea that kids (mainly teenagers) that it is a safe option. More education is needed for everyone.
- mom462038 replied
  
  13 Mar 2022 , 2:52 pm
  It is a safer option then cigarettes, if you buy the liquid from reputable sources
- - mom223151 said
  - 05 Mar 2022
    1:53 am
That is so scary and extremely frightening. I am sorry but I check bags all the time. How did the boy who brought it to school get hold of it in the first place.
I heart goes out to the family, hope he makes a speedy recovery.

- - mom468034 said
  - 04 Mar 2022
    5:00 pm
scary stuff. Hope he gets better soon. Poor kid, poor everyone involved.

- - Indigo said
  - 04 Mar 2022
    1:19 pm
The poor little man. A 5 yr old wouldn’t even know how harmful vaping would be and think it is a fun toy. I think the owner of it should be much more careful!

- - mom485659 said
  - 03 Mar 2022
    7:44 pm
Poor little dude, this is so scary

- - alrevedup said
  - 03 Mar 2022
    5:39 pm
This is awful for the family of the poor child but it’s also disgusting. I have wondered why Vape stores are popping up everywhere and I have read of other young children nearly dying due to use. Why are these things so readily available? Something needs to be done.

- - tessie said
  - 03 Mar 2022
    12:14 pm
This is so irresponsible of companies to make these in the first place. Even though you may think it’s harmless to use, children’s airways aren’t as strong as an adults. Imagine if a toddler had gotten hold of this and used it.

- - mom323673 said
  - 03 Mar 2022
    9:29 am
Geeezzzz.. where did this happen at the school? What is a 7 year old doing near the prep class?? Those vape things are very noticable though because the cloud they form are really big. This is crazzzyyy!!