There has been a decrease in numbers of school children taking drugs and smoking cigarettes but a rise in vaping, with nearly 10% of 11 to 15 year olds currently using e-cigarettes, new figures from NHS Digital show.
The number of young people vaping has increased, with 9% of secondary school pupils currently (either regularly or occasionally) using e-cigarettes in 2021, an increase from 6% in 2018, the report shows. The Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England, 2021 report also found that cigarette smoking has decreased, 3% of pupils were current smokers, a decline from 5% in 2018. In addition, 12% reported having ever smoked, a decrease from 16% in 2018, and the lowest level ever recorded.
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‘E-cigarettes remain a relatively new product and their long-term effects are still unknown,’ said Dr Mike McKean, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
‘It is clear that children and young people are being targeted by e-cigarette companies with bright packaging, exotic flavours and enticing names.’
The number of young people taking drugs has also decreased, 18% of pupils reported having ever taken drugs, a decline from 24% in 2018. 12% of pupils said they had taken drugs in the last year, down from 17% in 2018. Pupils who frequently met up with people outside their school or home, were more likely to have recently smoked, drunk alcohol or taken drugs.
Of pupils who met with people every day, 9% were current smokers, 12% usually drank alcohol once a week, and 19% had taken drugs in the last month. For pupils who had never met other people in the last four weeks, these proportions fell to 1%, 2%, and 2% respectively.