Laudium Cancer Care cuts through the smoke as it tackles vaping in schools

Laudium Cancer Care (LCC) successfully concluded its anti-vaping awareness campaign yesterday (August 5), visiting nine public and private schools across Laudium and Erasmia to educate learners about the dangers of vaping, nicotine addiction and the importance of making informed lifestyle choices. Spearheaded by LCC spokesperson Zaki Bhika, the initiative forms part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to community education, disease prevention and promoting healthier lifestyles among young people. Schools visited during the campaign included Al Ghazali College, Jacaranda Primary School and several other public and private schools in the area. The highlight of the campaign was a series of interactive educational presentations by Dr Nabeel Adam, who addressed learners on the health risks associated with vaping, while also taking questions to ensure that the learners gained a better understanding of the dangers linked to nicotine addiction and e-cigarette use. The campaign comes amid growing concern over the rise in vaping among young people, with health professionals warning that nicotine can interfere with adolescent brain development and increase the risk of future tobacco dependence. By reaching learners across nine schools, the campaign aimed not only to educate young people but also to encourage ongoing conversations between learners, parents and educators about the dangers of vaping. LCC said that it hopes the initiative will contribute to curbing the growing vaping epidemic among young people, while strengthening community awareness about the long-term health risks associated with vaping.

Schools breath easier with Laudium Cancer
Care’s Anti Vaping Awareness Campaign

Laudium Cancer Care successfully concluded an anti vaping awareness campaign yesterday (August 5), visiting nine public and private schools in Laudium and Erasmia to educate learners about the dangers of vaping and nicotine addiction.

The initiative, spearheaded by Laudium Cancer Care spokesperson Zaki Bhika, featured interactive educational presentations by Dr Nabeel Adam, who addressed learners on the health risks associated with vaping and the importance of making informed lifestyle choices.

Health professionals have raised growing concerns over the increase in vaping among young people, with reports indicating that children of primary school age are also experimenting with e-cigarettes. Nicotine can interfere with brain development in adolescents, while vaping aerosols may expose users to harmful chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens. Early nicotine addiction also increases the risk of future tobacco dependence.

Rafick Mukadam of Al Asr Islamic School welcomed the initiative, saying, “Vaping has become a growing concern in our school. Many learners mistakenly believe it is harmless because it is easy to hide. This programme provided factual information that challenged those misconceptions and encouraged our learners to make healthier choices.”

Laudium Cancer Care would like to commend Dr Nabeel Adam for the exceptional dedication, patience and professionalism he displayed throughout the campaign. Despite being faced with many difficult and innocent questions from learners, he took the time to answer each one with compassion, honesty and understanding. His willingness to engage openly with the learners played a significant role in making the campaign both educational and impactful.

The campaign forms part of Laudium Cancer Care’s ongoing commitment to community education and disease prevention. While the organisation is widely recognised for supporting cancer patients and their families, it also places a strong emphasis on preventative healthcare and public awareness. Laudium Cancer Care Chairperson Rashida Ebrahim said, “Creating awareness among our youth is one of the most effective ways to protect their future health. By working together with our schools, we can empower learners to make informed decisions and lead healthier lives.”

Principal Anita Pillay of Jacaranda Primary School said, “It is deeply concerning that children are being exposed to vaping from such a young age. This is not a challenge schools can address alone. Parents, educators and community organisations all have a role to play in safeguarding our children’s future.”

The success of the campaign was made possible through the dedication of Laudium Cancer Care’s volunteers, who co-ordinated the school visits, assisted with logistics and ensured the programme ran smoothly at each school.

Laudium Cancer Care extends sincere appreciation to every school that welcomed the initiative and partnered in this important awareness drive. The organisation hopes the campaign will encourage ongoing conversations between learners, parents and educators, reinforcing the importance of making informed choices and helping to curb the growing vaping epidemic among young people.

For more information, contact Laudium
Cancer Care: 0836598786 | 0742086786
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