Public Health Wales has produced helpful guidance on vaping to support parents, carers, teachers and others working with secondary-aged children in Wales.

Children and young people should not use vapes.

Vaping can be used by adult smokers to reduce harm if they switch completely from smoking. However, vaping is not recommended for non-smokers, especially children and young people.

For parents and carers

Young People and Vaping: Information for parents and carers helps parents and carers get a clear, evidence-based understanding of vaping amongst children and young people in Wales.

The guidance includes up-to-date information on the health impacts of vaping, how many children and young people are vaping in Wales, how to spot potential signs of vaping, and how to approach a supportive conversation about it.

Read the Public Health Wales guidance for parents and carers

For teachers and school staff

Information and Guidance on Vaping for Secondary-aged Learners in Wales is for teachers and those who work with secondary-aged learners.

It provides data and evidence-based information on vaping and helps schools address vaping through policies, practices and curriculum content.

Read the Public Health Wales guidance for schools

Together, these resources can help parents, teachers and others working with children and young people to have honest, fact-based and supportive conversations about vaping that address the issues that matter.

How many young people are using vaping devices in Wales?

Most children and young people in Wales do not vape. However, studies including the School Health Research Network (SHRN) Student Health and Wellbeing Survey show that vaping among children and young people in Wales has increased in recent years.

In the 2023 SHRN survey, over a quarter of students in Years 7 to 11, 25.7%, had tried vaping, and 7% were vaping at least once a week.

Students in Year 11 were more likely to vape regularly than younger students. Almost one in six Year 11 students in Wales, 15.9%, were regularly using vapes, and over 45% of Year 11 students said they had tried a vape.

The survey also showed that only 2.7% of students in Years 7 to 11 smoked regularly, and most of these students also vaped.

Why is there concern about vaping amongst young people?

Vapes were originally made to help adult smokers quit. Switching completely from smoking to vaping can reduce harm for adult smokers. However, there is no benefit of vaping for non-smokers, particularly children and young people.

Most vapes contain nicotine, which is addictive. Regular use can lead to nicotine dependence. This can affect concentration, learning, studying, sleep, mood and mental wellbeing.

The long-term health effects of vaping are not yet fully understood. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not risk-free.

Schools are also reporting increasing problems with vape use and related behaviour. Headteachers have reported that vaping has become a growing issue, with schools needing to monitor specific areas such as toilets. School leaders have also reported an increase in school exclusions relating to vaping.

Things you need to know
  • Vaping devices should not be used by children and young people.
  • It is illegal to sell nicotine-containing vaping devices to anyone under 18. It is also illegal for adults to buy them on behalf of under-18s.
  • Anyone selling, or suspected of selling, nicotine vapes or tobacco products to under-18s can be reported anonymously to No Ifs. No Butts.
  • There are growing numbers of illegal or illicit vaping devices on sale that do not meet UK quality and safety standards.
  • Illegal vapes can be particularly dangerous. Some have been found to contain very high levels of nicotine and dangerous metals such as lead. Others are labelled as nicotine-free when they do contain nicotine. Illegal vapes have also been found in schools in the UK.
  • Vaping is safer than smoking, but it is not harmless. The evidence on the long-term health effects of vaping is limited because vaping has not been around long enough to fully understand the risks of long-term use.
  • Vaping can lead to dependence on nicotine. Dependence on nicotine can negatively affect mental health and wellbeing and can disrupt life and learning.
  • Adult smokers can reduce the risk of harm from smoking by switching completely to vaping. However, vaping is not recommended for non-smokers and should not be used by children and young people.
  • If an adult, child or young person under 18 needs support to quit smoking, they should seek advice from Help Me Quit. Help Me Quit supports smokers aged 12 and over and will guide people to the appropriate treatment pathway.
  • If someone wants to quit vaping, they can contact the national Help Me Quit helpline on 0800 085 2219 for advice and support.
Support to stop smoking or vaping

Help Me Quit is the national NHS stop smoking service for Wales. It can support smokers aged 12 and over, and can also offer advice and support to young people who vape.

Call Help Me Quit on 0800 085 2219 for free, confidential support.

Visit Help Me Quit Wales