School pupils are unable to concentrate because of the effects of nicotine and some are even vaping in class, according to teachers.
A survey of members of the NASUWT teaching union found most respondents believed vaping continued to be an issue in their school.
They said children were gathering in toilets to vape during the school day with some pupils leaving lessons repeatedly.
It comes as the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes measures to address vaping by children, is considered by parliament.
Sharron Daly, a secondary school teacher for 30 years and a NASUWT official, said vapes were “far more difficult to police” than cigarettes had been.
She said that was because they were “designed to look like lip gloss or highlighters” and pupils “smell like blueberry bubble gum” rather than smoke.
“Some children are unable to concentrate. Children become agitated because they can’t get that nicotine fix and it leads to confrontation”, the Bridgend teacher said.
Though far less common, as a union official she said colleagues had reported children vaping in class – the latest example “a matter of weeks ago”.
“It has a negative effect on pupil behaviour and ultimately it will have an effect on pupil performance as well because if they can’t concentrate, they can’t learn”, Ms Daly added.
Of the 477 respondents to the NASUWT survey in Wales, almost three quarters said they believed vaping was an issue in their school and a majority said it had become worse over the last year.
Some were concerned that schools’ behaviour policy was not effective in addressing the problem.
The most common observations by respondents were of pupils vaping in toilets, leaving lessons to vape as well as vaping during break times.
Many also said that pupils flushing vapes had caused damage to toilets and plumbing.
One teacher said: “Parents are buying vapes for their children. Some parents are even coming to school during the day to supply their child with a vape”.
The NASUWT is calling for tighter regulations and more resources to support schools to tackle the issue.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently being considered by the UK parliament would help address the problem, according to the Welsh government.
It said data shows that 7% of young people aged 11 to 16 in Wales use vapes weekly and the figure was 15.9% for 15 to 16-year-olds in year 11.
It is illegal to sell vaping products containing nicotine to someone under 18 but the Welsh government said the legislation would tighten restrictions and give ministers powers to restrict packaging, flavours and where the products are displayed.
“We have worked with Public Health Wales who have produced guidance on vaping to help parents, carers, teachers and others working with secondary-aged children in Wales,” a spokesperson said.
Separately, a ban on single-use vapes is due to come into force in June 2025.
