Laudium Cancer Care has once again stepped forward to confront one of the fastest growing threats to young people’s health; vaping, snuss and the use of e-cigarettes. In a proactive community health drive, the organization partnered with local medical expert Professor Zunaid Vally, in visiting both primary and high schools in the area this past Wednesday (August 20), taking their campaign directly to learners where it matters most. The message to learners from Prof Vally was very clear, “Many young people think vaping is safe because it smells pleasant or doesn’t look like a cigarette. In truth it damages the lungs, causes addiction, and increases the risk of long-term illness. Prevention is always better than cure.”
Laudium Cancer Care joins schools in blowing vaping away…
Laudium Cancer Care has once again stepped forward to confront one of the fastest growing threats to young people’s health, vaping, snuss and the use of e-cigarettes.
In a proactive community health drive, the organization partnered with local medical expert Professor Zunaid Vally to visit both primary and high schools in Laudium, taking their campaign directly to learners where it matters most.
The initiative included visits this past Wednesday (August 20) to Tshwane Muslim School, Pretoria Muslim Trust, Amity College, Hillside Primary, Jacaranda Primary, and Al Asr Muslim School, ensuring that the anti-vaping message reached a wide spectrum of learners across the community.
The sessions were designed to do more than just warn. They gave learners the facts, the science, and the reality behind what many see as a harmless trend. Professor Vally explained how the sweet flavours, colourful packaging, and sleek devices are no accident but carefully designed strategies by manufacturers, to lure in the youth market.
“Many young people think vaping is safe because it smells pleasant or doesn’t look like a cigarette. In truth it damages the lungs, causes addiction, and increases the risk of long-term illness. Prevention is always better than cure.”
One of the growing concerns raised during the visits was how easily these devices are hidden inside schools. Many are designed to look like USB sticks, pens, or even lip gloss tubes, making it almost impossible for teachers to spot. This has created a serious challenge for educators, who often only discover the problem once it has already spread among learners.
Professor Zunaid Vally.
Mr Motala from Hillside Primary School noted, “We are seeing younger children experimenting with vapes, some as young as ten. Because they are so well disguised, it’s difficult for teachers to notice until it’s too late.”
Principal of Al Asr, Rafik Mukkadum, added, “Learners needed to hear this message directly from a medical professional. It gave weight to what we as schools have been warning them about.”
The initiative was well received by both staff and learners, many of whom engaged with questions during the interactive sessions. According to Laudium Cancer Care representatives, the aim was not only to scare students away from vaping, but also to equip them with knowledge to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure.
This school’s campaign is part of Laudium Cancer Care’s wider mission, to serve the community through patient support, health awareness campaigns, and outreach programmes. While cancer care remains at the heart of their work, the organization continues to broaden its focus to include issues that threaten public health before they escalate. By shining a light on vaping and taking the message directly into schools, Laudium Cancer Care has set an example of how community organizations can play a role in safeguarding the next generation. The anti vaping initiative has already sparked conversations in households across Laudium and beyond, with parents and educators joining forces to address the challenge.”
