What is vaping?
Vaping involves inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or similar device. These devices heat a liquid often containing nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals to create vapor.
Vapes are used to help adult smokers quit smoking. Vaping can be less harmful than smoking when the vapes are made to the legal size and strength.
Vapes are not suitable for non-smokers, children, or young people. While vaping can be less harmful than smoking, it is not risk-free.
It is illegal to sell to or buy vapes for someone under 18.
It is also important to be aware that some vapes do not meet the UK's legal safety guidelines. This may mean that they are too strong, contain harmful chemicals or not have declared their ingredients. H&F Council is working to remove all illegal vapes from our high streets.
Why do young people vape?
There are many reasons why young people might start vaping including:
- Peer pressure: Friends or classmates might encourage others to try vaping.
- Flavours: E-cigarettes come in various flavours that can be appealing.
- Marketing: Advertisements often make vaping look attractive and harmless.
The risks of vaping
Some of the risks of vaping include:
- Nicotine addiction: Vaping may lead to a nicotine addiction. This can negatively impact brain development in teenagers.
- Nicotine withdrawal: Nicotine addiction can result in nicotine withdrawal which may affect attention span, cause irritability, and lead to concentration difficulties.
- Feeling unwell: Vaping can cause sore throats, coughing, headaches and dizziness.
- Dangerous and illegal substances: Illegal vapes are not labelled correctly and may contain unknown chemicals that can be dangerous to your health. In some illegal vapes the liquid has been replaced with the Class B drug THC (the active compound in cannabis) or a synthetic cannabinoid also known as spice.
- Future impacts: Most importantly, the long-term side effects of vaping are yet unknown.
Information for parents
A parent's guide to vaping and young people.
Understanding vaping
Vaping involves using an electronic device to inhale vapor from a heated liquid. The main ingredients in e-liquids are vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol, often with nicotine (up to 2% or 20mg/ml), flavourings, and sweeteners.
Smoking versus vaping
Vaping can be an effective tool for smoking cessation, helping adult smokers manage nicotine cravings in a bid to stop smoking. Smoking is significantly more harmful than vaping. Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide and tar, which includes toxic chemicals, which are known to be carcinogenic, causing disease, disability, and early death.
Concerns with vaping among children and young people
The risks of vaping: While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not without risks. Short-term effects can include:
- nicotine addiction
- coughing
- headaches
- dizziness
- sore throats
- irritability due to nicotine withdrawal.
The long-term effects are still unknown, making it important to approach vaping with caution.
Talk to your child about vaping: You have a crucial role in safeguarding your child from the risks associated with vaping and nicotine addiction. Keep communication calm open and honest. You can utilise the following strategies as a guide a meaningful conversation.
Find the right moment: Use natural opportunities, like seeing someone vape or passing a vape shop, to start a conversation.
Ask questions: Engage your child by asking what they think about vaping, if they know anyone who vapes, and why they think people vape.
Be prepared to learn that your child might have tried vaping: Many more children are experimenting with vapes than we realise, so there's a chance your child has done so as well.
Listen and learn: Understand their perspective and use your knowledge to explain that vapes are not harmless.
Express your concerns: Clearly explain why you don't want them to vape or smoke, emphasising that smoking is a far greater risk.
Show you care: Let them know that those who sell vapes to under-18s are only interested in making money and not their well-being.
Discuss peer pressure: Talk about why children might vape, such as fitting in, curiosity, or stress, and practice ways to respond to peer pressure.
If your child is vaping, understand their reasons: Ask questions like "What do you enjoy about vaping?" or "How does vaping make you feel?" to understand their needs and discuss alternative ways to meet those needs.
Helping smokers quit: Vapes can be a valuable tool for smokers looking to quit, but they should not be used by non-smokers, especially children.
The law and vaping
Summary of the laws governing e-cigarettes.
Age restrictions
It's illegal to sell vapes or vaping products containing nicotine to under-18s, and for adults to buy them on their behalf.
Signs to spot illegal vapes
When checking vapes, ensure that:
- The nicotine content must be no more than 20mg/ml (2%).
- Health warnings should cover 30% of the front and back of the packaging, stating: "This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance." Variations of this wording are not permitted.
- Packaging should recommend keeping the product out of reach of children, list the ingredients, and include a batch number along with the manufacturer or importer's contact details.
- Rechargeable vapes must have the CE mark or UKCA mark.
Reporting illegal sales and illicit vapes
Report any underage sales or the supply of illegal vapes to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice online portal.
Or call the helpline on 0808 223 1133.
Information posters and leaflets
Need to know poster
Information poster showing the main points you need to know about vaping.
Risks of vaping poster
Information poster explaining the known risks of vaping.
Let's talk nicotine poster
Information poster about what happens if you become addicted to nicotine.
Harm reduction for vapers poster
Information poster with helpful tips if you want to reduce your vaping.
Support and resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with vaping, there are resources available.
Turning Point
For support and advice for young people under 25, including support with quitting vapes infused with dangerous substances, visit Turning Point's website.
Or call the team on 0330 303 8080 or email them at: resilience@turning-point.co.uk
Frank
Honest information about drugs.
Ash
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is an independent public health charity set up by the Royal College of Physicians to end the harm caused by tobacco.