Action on Smoking Health (ASH) has published
Key findings show:
- 18% of 11-17 year olds have tried vaping – which is around 980,000 children.
- 47% of these have tried vaping simply more once or twice, suggesting more regular use.
- In 2024, 72% of 11-17 year olds report they were exposed to some form of vape promotion, the main sources being in shops (55%) and online (29%).
- Despite selling to under 18s being an offence 48% of 11-17 year olds report they purchase vapes from shops
- The most common product for 11-17 year olds remain disposable vapes (54%)
RCPCH VP for Policy, Dr Mike McKean, said:
That almost a fifth of teens having tried vaping is extremely worrying. At the end of the day, vaping is far from risk free and very often addictive. I’m concerned that we have allowed e-cigarette companies free reign to target our children with these brightly coloured, flavoured, appealing and potentially damaging products.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is now a matter of urgency for the health of our children and young people. We need our Government to have the necessary powers to regulate these products and companies, to protect children and young people, by implementing a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, limiting flavours, introducing plain packaging and restricting advertisements both online and in stores.