A quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vaping and nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) do it frequently, according to research published by the NHS.

The ‘Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England report for 2023’ showed regular or occasional vaping in secondary school children had increased from six per cent in 2018.

The report also revealed that only 11 per cent of young people have smoked at least once, the lowest level recorded by the survey.

Matt Fagg, NHS England’s director for prevention and long-term conditions, said, “It is incredibly concerning that almost one in 10 young people regularly or occasionally vape – 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.”

The NHS is supporting the government’s ambition for a smoke-free generation by 2030, with a focus on stopping people from starting to smoke. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and deaths in adults and treating the health issues it causes costs the NHS around £2.5bn each year.

Matt added, “We welcome the government’s commitment to tackle the promotion of e-cigarettes to children and young people through legislation at the earliest opportunity and look forward to working with them and other partners to help the next generation grow up smoke and vape-free”.

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.

“Through the ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’, we will stop vapes from being deliberately branded to target children, protecting future generations from becoming hooked on nicotine and ensuring the next generation grows up smoke and vape free."

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), responded to the NHS data. She said, “It is vital the government bring forward the ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’ as soon as possible to accelerate progress towards a smokefree generation and more effectively regulate vaping. While smoking rates have fallen dramatically among 11–15-year-olds over the last few decades, this data indicates progress is stalling and shows a particularly worrying jump in 11-year-olds reporting ever smoking or currently smoking.

“At the same time youth vaping remains too high and is unlikely to fall without further regulations to limit the appeal of vapes to teens. The data should be the impetus the government needs to bring forward legislation for first reading.”

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