Children across England deserve to be cared for by adults who are fully alert, healthy, and able to provide a safe environment. While alcohol use before working with children is rightly prohibited, there is currently no national standard preventing staff from vaping or smoking immediately before beginning their duties.

Nicotine use — especially high‑strength vaping — can cause dizziness, nausea, impaired concentration, and changes in heart rate. These effects can reduce a person’s ability to supervise, respond quickly, and make safe decisions. Children are also vulnerable to second-hand aerosol exposure, and visible nicotine use undermines the health messages we expect them to follow.

We call on Ofsted and the Department for Education to introduce clear, consistent safeguarding standards that:

• prevent staff from vaping or smoking immediately before working with children
• recognise nicotine intoxication as a legitimate safety concern
• protect children from second-hand aerosol exposure
• ensure childcare and education settings adopt policies that prioritise children’s health and safety

This is not about judging individuals who smoke or vape. It is about ensuring that every child in England is cared for by adults who are fully present, fully capable, and not exposing them to unnecessary risk.