MBABANE – What began as a routine awareness session on drug abuse at a local primary school in Mbabane uncovered a worrying trend of pupils using e-cigarettes in plain sight.
The e-cigarettes, or vapes as they are widely known, were reportedly confiscated from pupils in Grades IV and VII.
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The discovery was made last Thursday when the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) Community Safety Unit was called to the school after one of the pupils was reportedly found with unidentified drugs.
Although after probing, school authorities discovered that the pupil had been a conduit for the illegal substance, they still invited the police to engage the learners about drugs and their dangers.
E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid containing nicotine to produce an aerosol. They often come in bright colours and different shapes — resembling USB drives, pens, smartphones, highlighters, and even toys.
Some feature digital screens, games, and reward systems that make vaping more appealing to children and teenagers.
Police Sensitisation Uncovers Hidden Devices
According to REPS Community Safety Officer, Constable Siphiwe Kunene, the police had visited the school to educate learners on various drugs, including modern substances such as vapes.
It was during this session that the officers described how vapes look and the sweet flavours they come in — such as fruit, candy, menthol, and mint.
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Kunene said this led teachers and pupils to realise that some of the bright-coloured gadgets seen around the school were in fact vaping devices.
“Some of the pupils who used the vapes seemed not to know exactly what they were inhaling. To them, it seemed like some sort of a cool thing to have and use, not knowing that the substance they were inhaling was addictive and dangerous,” said Kunene.
Teachers reportedly admitted that they mistook the vapes for power banks because they had charging ports, only realising the truth after the police explained their appearance.
Parents Caught Unaware
Kunene said some pupils even revealed that vapes were shared among classmates, especially those who were addicted to nicotine.
She added that a parents’ representative at the session expressed disbelief, saying many parents are unaware that their children use these devices.
“Parents may have seen these colourful devices at home or being charged by their children, but do not know that they are used for smoking,” Kunene said.
The police seized the devices and warned pupils against experimenting with vaping and other substances.
Police to Roll Out National Awareness Campaign
Kunene revealed that this was not the first school where pupils had been caught with vapes.
Given the growing trend, she said police may soon launch a full sensitisation campaign to educate teachers, parents, and learners about the dangers and appearance of these devices.
“Parents need to be vigilant and know more about vapes so that they can identify them without mistaking them for toys or gadgets,” she said.
The seized vapes were handed to the headteacher to be displayed during upcoming parent meetings as part of an awareness drive.
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