Vaping use in young people
Young people should be discouraged from vaping, especially if they do not smoke tobacco. There are concerns about nicotine addiction, the unknown health effects of vapes and illicit content.
Our message is simple - if you don't smoke - don't vape.
This video features a school nurse talking to a student about the dangers of nicotine in disposable vapes
Vapes and vaping products containing nicotine, like tobacco, are age restricted. It is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s and it is also illegal for an adult to purchase them for someone who is under-18.
For young people whose brains are still developing, nicotine can be extremely harmful and affect parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control.
Herefordshire Council is working to deter young people from taking up vaping through the education of young people and their parents or carers, and by enforcing legislation around selling e-cigarettes.
The Public Health Team within Herefordshire council have a dedicated team who delivers school workshops explaining the law and health impacts of vaping to school staffing teams. However if you are concerned about a school age child please speak to your child's school or school nurse.
- It's important for young people to know the facts about vaping so they can make an informed choice. Young people can find out more on the FRANK
- Parents, carers and anyone working with children can make sure young people understand the health facts about vaping and know about vaping and the law.
- 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.
- Vaping exposes users to some toxins, and we do not yet know what the risks might be in the longer term.
- Most vapes contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance that can be hard to stop using once you have started.
- Nicotine is more risky for young people than for adults, as evidence suggests the developing brain is more sensitive to its addictive effects.
- 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.
- Some disposable vapes on sale are illegal and do not meet UK safety regulations. They can contain high levels of harmful substances.
- Take a look at the information leaflet on the facts for parents and carers on vaping and e-cigarettes.
Vaping and E-Cigarettes Leaflet from SmokeFree Sheffield and Action on Smoking and Health support parents and carers to have
conversations with their children about vaping.
The FRANK website offers young people guidance on how to cope with peer pressure
Info for young people on the risks of vapes on the FRANK website
Info for young people on nicotine on the FRANK website
BBC Article 'How dangerous is vaping and what is the disposable vape ban?'
To report the sale of illegal vapes, or the sale of nicotine containing products to under 18’s in Herefordshire, please contact: Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133 (all reports will be passed to trading standards) or via the Citizens Advice online portal.
If you see advertising for vapes that you feel is trying to encourage children and young people to try vaping, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority.
If you have any concerns about the side effects of a vape you can report it to the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Yellow Card reporting site.