Early Learning Victoria is committed to protecting children’s health and wellbeing by providing a safe environment for all children, staff and families. We believe in maintaining a healthy, safe, and productive workplace environment that eliminates risks and hazards associated with the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.
1. Scope
This policy applies to children, families, staff, management and visitors of Early Learning Victoria centres. This includes volunteers, students on placement and contractors or labour hire employees of Early Learning Victoria.
2. Policy statement
The purpose of this policy is to:
- provide information on the requirement to keep centres free of, tobacco, e-cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs at all times
- improve educational health and wellbeing outcomes for all children and families
- inform centre staff, volunteers and visitors about what is and what is not acceptable behaviour in relation to the use of alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes and other drugs
- provide a procedure that outlines how to respond to drug-impaired people, staff, volunteers and visitors at the centre.
2.1 Requirements
The Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (the National Law) and Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (the Regulations) require Early Learning Victoria and its centres to protect children from harm and hazard. The Regulations and the Tobacco Act 1987 require all centres to be free of tobacco, drug alcohol and e-cigarettes.
2.2 Background and information
Research shows that exposure to tobacco smoke poses major health risks to both children and adults. Young children are especially vulnerable to the poisons of second-hand smoke because their bodies are developing. Effects of passive smoking include sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), infections, conditions such as croup and bronchitis and the increased likelihood of childhood asthma.
An e-cigarette (also known as a ‘vape’) is a battery-powered device that heats liquid (‘e-liquid’ or ‘juice’) into an aerosol, which is inhaled into the lungs. Many e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that are known causes of cancer, heart disease and lung disease.
Many e-cigarettes and e-liquids also contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Young people become more easily and rapidly addicted to nicotine than adults. Nicotine harms the way a young person’s brain grows, which may affect memory and concentration. Under the Tobacco Act 1987, vaping (using an e-cigarette) is prohibited in smoke-free areas.
Potential dangers of e-cigarettes include:
- ingestion (swallowing) of e-liquid, which can lead to poisoning and even death in children
- harm from inhaling e-liquid chemicals as aerosol (the health effects of inhaling the various chemicals used in e-cigarette liquids may not be known. For example, some flavourings may be safe for use in food but not when inhaled).
3. Actions and procedures
3.1 Responsibilities of families
Families are responsible for:
- reading and complying with this policy
- not consuming or being affected by alcohol, tobacco or other drugs when attending Early Learning Victoria centres
- complying with the prohibition on all tobacco and e-cigarettes on Early Learning Victoria centre premises.
3.2 Responsibilities of staff
4. Resources
Legislation and standards
Relevant legislation and standards include:
- Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
- National Quality Standard, Quality area 2: Children’s health and safety
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017
- Wellbeing and Safety Act 2004
- Tobacco Act 1987
Related policies
- Anti-bias approach policy
- Child safety and wellbeing policy
- Handling complaints and feedback policy
- Educational program policy
- Protecting children policy
- Privacy policy
Links
- Work health and safety
- Department of Health: What are drugs?
- Safe Work Australia: Drugs and alcohol
- Work Safe Victoria: Guide for developing a workplace alcohol and other drugs policy
- Department of Health: Learning environments: smoke-free and vape-free
- Department of Health: Resources and factsheets – tobacco reform
- Smoking and vaping: Advice for parents
Definitions
Alcohol: Alcohol is the most-used depressant drug. It affects both mental and motor function. Examples include beer, wine and spirits.
Drugs: Drugs include:
- Illegal drugs: Drugs such as amphetamines, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin are illegal. They are not subject to quality or price controls and the amount of active ingredient varies. A person using illegal drugs can never be sure of how strong the drug is, or what is in it.
- Prescription drugs: Prescribed and over-the-counter medications can also be misused for the purposes of intoxication. Employees taking medication should find out how it may affect them by consulting their doctor and advising the nominated supervisor if the prescribed medication will affect their mental or physical ability to perform their duties safely.
- Illicit drugs: Illicit drugs include illegal drugs, prescription medicines that have been obtained illegally or that are not being used for medicinal purposes, and other substances that are being used inappropriately, for example, sniffing glue or inhaling paint thinner.
- E-cigarettes (vaping): Battery-powered devices called e-cigarettes are utilised to heat a liquid substance that generates a vapor, which is then inhaled, thus imitating the smoking process.
Under the influence: A person who is affected by drugs or alcohol. This may interfere with the person’s sound judgement, see them behave unacceptably, or impair their mental and physical ability to perform their duties safely.
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