As schools across the UAE and beyond face a concerning rise in student vaping, the need to move beyond passive awareness into decisive, sustainable action has never been more urgent. At GEMS Education, a comprehensive and multi faceted strategy has been introduced to curb vaping and foster a healthier learning environment. This approach is built on collaboration, education, infrastructure and accountability.
Vaping is strictly prohibited in all educational institutions across the UAE, reflecting a wider national ban on smoking and vaping in public areas. However, discreet devices and unmonitored moments, particularly in toilets or during breaks, have created ongoing challenges. Within the GEMS network, patterns emerged as students frequently rushed to toilets in groups during lessons. Even with limited direct evidence, the implications were clear and action became essential.
Firm Measures and Clear Results
The installation of vape detection alarms in student toilets was the first decisive step, with expansion planned across the network. Combined with the GEMS zero tolerance policy, incidents dropped rapidly. In the first month alone, alerts reduced significantly and numbers have remained consistently low. The aim for the 2025 to 2026 academic year is to render vape alarms unnecessary.
Education also played a critical role. Schools invited health professionals and addiction specialists to address students directly. As understanding grew, alerts fell further and students began self referring for help with nicotine dependency. Safe spaces for open dialogue transformed the culture, shifting the emphasis from punishment to prevention.
Structural Changes that Discourage Misuse
Inspired by UK based urban design strategies, such as Croydon’s use of outdoor activity zones to reduce youth loitering, GEMS Wellington Academy adopted a similar mindset.
Toilets were redesigned from multi cubicle spaces to single private units, with CCTV monitoring at entry points only. This ensured privacy within cubicles while improving safety and enabling traceability in cases of alarm activation. Group vaping opportunities reduced immediately and students reported feeling safer and more comfortable. This approach is now being considered across other GEMS British and International schools. Policy adjustments further strengthened impact, including limiting toilet use during lessons to emergencies only. This reduced distractions, improved attendance and increased engagement in class.
A Year 10 student reflected:
“There was nothing stopping me before, I knew I could just leave to vape.”
Another student struggling with addiction shared:
“Now I can’t just walk out. This stricter approach has actually helped me start breaking the habit.”
A Model for Other Schools
The GEMS approach has been proactive, deliberate and continuous. Term after term, improvements have been noted not only in vaping reduction but also in shaping a healthier school culture.
By combining modern detection tools, strong expectations, informed education and reimagined infrastructure, meaningful progress has been achieved. Other schools are encouraged to consider similar steps, whether through layout redesign, investment in detection technology or creating open forums for discussion.
The key is unity among staff, parents and students, reinforcing a shared commitment to preventing vaping from harming young people’s futures.
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Further Reading:
- GEMS Education Unveils GEMS School Management – A Turnkey Solution to Build World-Class Schools Globally
- Reimagining Education: Why The GEMS School of Research and Innovation Is So Unique