Vaping

About e-cigarettes and vapes

The terms e-cigarettes and vapes mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably, but young people are more familiar with the term vapes and vaping.

Vapes contain nicotine which is highly addictive and harmful to health. Therefore, those under the age of 18 and those who don’t smoke are not recommended to use them and should be actively discouraged from doing so.

The minimum age of sale for e-cigarettes or vapes is 18 and it is illegal to sell vapes or nicotine containing e-liquid to under 18s or to purchase them on behalf of under 18s. The use of vapes in schools should be treated in the same way as tobacco or other prohibited substances.

How many young people actually vape?

The number of young people in the UK who currently use a vape has increased in the last 3 years. Data from the Action on Smoke and Health (ASH) Smokefree GB Youth Survey 2023 shows that around 7.6% of young people aged 11 – 17 years old current vape. This has increased from 3.2% reported in 2021.

The same survey showed that the main awareness of vape promotion was seeing the products in shops (53%), followed by seeing them online (32%). This can lead to the perception that everybody is vaping’ and vaping has been portrayed through social media channels such as TikTok in a positive light.

Whilst the increase in vaping is of concern, it is important to highlight that most young people don’t vape. Schools can play a vital role in de-normalising vaping by sharing information about the harms of vaping, highlighting that the majority of young people don’t vape and having robust policies and procedures in place to deal with vaping at school.

Health impact

Unlike cigarettes and tobacco, vapes don’t produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful substances in tobacco smoke. They also exposure users to fewer toxins than cigarette smoking. However, vapes are not risk free.

Evidence shows that in the short to medium term vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking, this is why adults who smoke are encouraged to use vapes to quit smoking. We don’t yet have evidence about the long-term effects of vaping.

Short term impacts of vaping can include headaches, coughing, dizziness, and sore throats.

Key vaping messages for young people

Vaping is a way for adults to stop smoking – not something for non-smokers, especially children and young people to try
Vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking but that does not mean it is harmless
In the UK it is against the law to sell nicotine vaping products to under-18s or for adults to buy them on their behalf
Vaping exposes users to some toxins and we don’t yet know what the risks might be in the longer term
Some vapes contain nicotine, an addictive substance which can be hard to stop using once you’ve started
Nicotine may be more risky for young people than for adults, as evidence suggests that in adolescence the brain is more sensitive to its effects.
Some disposable vapes on sale are illegal and do not meet UK quality and safety regulations.

Environmental impact

Single use vapes include batteries and plastics that are difficult to recycle which means they end up in landfill sites which release chemicals that are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. It’s estimated that around 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in the UK (that’s enough to cover 22 football pitches).

Resources for teachers, schools and parents and carers

The messages about vapes can be confusing. Smokefree Sheffield and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) have developed a range of resources including posters, an animation, guides for parents and carers and a classroom presentation to help children and young people understand the facts about vapes.

Vaping: The Facts | Smokefree Sheffield

References

The terms e cigarettes and vaping mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Young people are more familiar with the term vaping. (2020) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaping-in-england-evidence-update-march-2020/vaping-in-england-2020-evidence-update-summary

Trading Standards Connect Webpage https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/business/age-restricted-products and https://www.devonsomersettradingstandards.gov.uk/tsi-single/?frmClient=7452B29D-A844-4EEA-E9FAB930FA4E168E&frmItemID=122630&frmShared=1

Headline results ASH Smokefree GB adults and youth survey results 2023 https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Headline-results-ASH-Smokefree-GB-adults-and-youth-survey-results-2023.pdf?v=1684400380

Nicotine vaping in England: evidence update main findings (2022) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nicotine-vaping-in-england-2022-evidence-update/nicotine-vaping-in-england-2022-evidence-update-main-findings

Vaping: The Facts (2023) https://smokefreesheffield.org/get-involved/campaigns/vaping-the-facts/