New data from NHS England has revealed that almost one in 10 (9%) secondary school children vape regularly.
The ‘Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people’ in England report for 2023 found that regular and occasional vaping amongst children aged 11 to 15 increased from 6% in 2018 to 9% in 2022.
Matt Fagg, NHS England’s director for prevention and long-term conditions said the report was ‘incredibly concerning. It means they are at risk of becoming hooked on one of the world’s most addictive substances, and that is before we consider the longer-term impacts which are still unclear.’
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This report contains results from the latest survey of secondary school pupils in England in years 7 to 11 (mostly aged 11 to 15), focusing on smoking, drinking and drug use. The survey also had additional questions relating to pupils wellbeing. These included how often the pupil felt lonely, felt left out and that they had no-one to talk to.
While vaping rates had increased, the report found that only 11% of young people have smoked at least once, the lowest level recorded by the survey. The number of young people taking drugs has also decreased, with 13% of pupils reported having ever taken drugs, compared to 18% in 2021.
Andrew Gwynne, minister for public health and prevention said: ‘It’s very worrying to see a quarter of pupils tried vaping last year. The health advice is clear that children and adult non-smokers should never vape, so it is unacceptable to see unscrupulous retailers marketing them at children.’
He said the Tobacco and Vapes Bill would ‘ensure the next generation grows up smoke and vape free’.
The bill was first proposed by former prime minister Rishi Sunak in autumn 2023. It would raise the legal smoking age by one year annually, effectively banning smoking for anyone born in 2009 or later. It would also include measures to limit marketing of vapes to children.
MPs had voted in favour of the bill in April 2024, but it was dropped in the run up to the general election in July. However, the King’s speech confirmed that the bill would go ahead under the Labour Government.