For over a year, a disturbing trend has been growing(Yes, I’m actually going to write one of these…). It is now appearing in primary schools around the world. Teachers and parents are increasingly finding these brightly coloured, cartoon-themed devices disguised as toys or collectibles in the bags of children as young as Year 1.
What are they? Are we the sugar police? Catching the latest trend and hindering our children from having fun and making memories such as the ones we have with marbles, flippos, trading cards and more!
At first glance, these “toy pods” look like harmless figurines; Mario, Doraemon, cute animal mascots. But in reality, it’s a much darker marketing scheme, they are fully functional vape devices containing nicotine and a plethora of other harmful chemicals.
What Are “Toy Pods”?
These devices are deliberately designed to hide in plain sight. They often come packaged like “mystery box” collectible toys and feature(Think Pop Mart or Labubu):
- Familiar cartoon characters.
- Bright colours and playful patterns.
- Soft, rounded “toy-like” shapes.
- Light-up features or keychain attachments to seem fun. Hey you can even hang them off your schoolbag!
Many also contain highly attractive flavourings such as bubblegum, cotton candy, strawberry milkshake, mango ice, all crafted to appeal to the very young. Think back to the chocolate cigarettes we had back in the day(Showing my age here, but if they were actual real cigarettes!) These sweet flavours disguise the harshness of nicotine, making them easier to inhale and even more addictive.
Why This Is So Dangerous
I don’t think I need to explain why our 6 year olds should not be Vaping but just in case, here are some of the main issues with this:
- Direct Appeal to Young Children
The packaging and flavours are designed for children too young to understand the risks. - Rapid Nicotine Addiction
Nicotine can quickly rewire developing brains, affecting learning, attention, and impulse control. - Toxic Chemical Exposure
Many pods contain harmful flavouring chemicals, heavy metals, and fine particles that can(will) damage the lungs. - Global Spread
This is no longer an isolated issue. Schools across the world are reporting cases, with social media and word of mouth fuelling the “cute” craze. Recently, we attended a Science fair in Asia, and out off the 30 Primary aged children asked there 12 had seen or had the opportunity to buy some! That’s a worrying trend! - Easy Access
Many can be bought online with weak or no age checks, or passed on by older siblings and peers. (And no, I am NOT advocating for age verification online, that will solve nothing! as my generations past proves with how we invented the art of getting around digital blocks)
Already in Our Schools
Some Year 1 pupils have been found with these “toy pods” in their school bags, sometimes believing they were harmless collectibles. Older siblings, friends, or online purchases are often the source. So what can we do as a school? Awareness. And that’s why I’m writing this article. I want those among us, the parents, the teachers to KNOW that this is happening. Not to cause moral panic, but simply so you might be aware of the current situation, so you can open an honest conversation with your children when this topic comes up.
For Parents: How to Spot and Stop the Risk
1. Learn What They Look Like
- Search online for “toy pod vapes” and familiarise yourself with designs.
- Watch for cartoon-like devices, especially those with a sweet smell.
2. Check Your Child’s Bags and Rooms
- Look for small plastic figures that don’t match their usual toys.
- Pay attention to mystery box packaging, collectible cases, or “cute” items that seem unusual.
3. Talk Openly
- Start the conversation early. Explain that some things that look fun can hurt their bodies.
- Avoid shaming; curiosity is normal, but safety comes first. Be honest and listen.
4. Control Online Shopping
- Monitor their access to online marketplaces. Do not activate your personal cards on devices they may use.
- Keep payment details secure so they can’t order without permission.
For Teachers and School Leaders: Steps to Protect Our Pupils
1. Staff Awareness
- Provide training so all staff can recognise these devices.
- Include images in safeguarding updates. Especially now, at the start of a new Academic year for many schools.
2. Update Policies
- Make sure your conduct and safeguarding policies clearly include vaping devices, even when disguised as toys.
3. Parent Communication
- Send newsletters with photos and warnings.
- Host information evenings or short video briefings.
4. Student Education
- Use age-appropriate assemblies or PSHE lessons to teach children about the risks.
- Reinforce the message: If you’re not sure what it is, don’t put it in your mouth or nose.
5. Bag Checks and Incident Protocols
- Where concerns are raised, have a clear, consistent process as well as school policy in place for checks and follow-up with families.
Final Thought
This is not a harmless fad! It’s targeted marketing aimed at getting children addicted to nicotine before they even leave primary school. The combination of playful designs, sweet flavours, and online hype is a calculated strategy to bypass the natural caution of parents and educators, and abuse the playful trusting nature of children.
Stopping this trend will take a united effort; schools, families, and communities working together to spot it, stop it, and speak out before more children are drawn in. If we can even stop this at all!