Educators, principals, and health experts convened at a national conference on Teachers Day to highlight the escalating threat of novel nicotine products like vapes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) infiltrating schools. They pledged to "Stop the Entry of Novel Nicotine Products in Schools," stressing the need for behavioural change, awareness, and stricter enforcement of the 2019 Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), amid widespread online availability despite the ban—a recent study showed 35.6% of sellers flouting it.

A Srija, Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Education, noted that Tobacco-Free Educational Institution (TOFEI) guidelines exist, but students access products easily online. She called for clear school protocols: "What should I do if I find a vape in a student's bag? How do I respond without isolating the child?" Experts emphasised equipping children to resist through peer support, parental guidance, and teacher intervention.

Rashmi Malhotra, Headmistress of Delhi Public School RK Puram, warned of misinformation and peer pressure via social media, likening vaping to "handing them a car without teaching them how to drive." Pramod Sharma of Genesis Global School stressed early detection of signs like academic drops or withdrawal, urging school-parent collaboration.

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Shikha Sehgal from Heritage International Xperiential School advocated year-round wellness plans with check-ins, surveys, and attendance tracking to spot issues early, especially in higher grades. Jyoti Singh, principal of Lady Irwin Senior Secondary School, debunked myths that only affluent students are affected, noting even high-achieving girls from modest backgrounds experiment due to peer influence and social media like Instagram, creating ripple effects.

The consensus: Collective action across students, parents, teachers, and policymakers is essential to curb this "bigger than it appears" crisis, focusing on prevention and intervention to protect vulnerable youth.

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