Vaping and Young People

 Vaping and E-Cigarettes the facts for parents and carers
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Vaping is an effective tool for helping people quit smoking by providing a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine without many of the toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke, making them a popular choice for those looking to quit smoking.

Vaping is not for children and young people, as their developing lungs and brains are more vulnerable to its effects. While nicotine vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking, it is not completely risk-free.

In the UK, strict regulations are in place to protect young people. It is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to anyone under 18 or for adults to purchase them on behalf of minors. These measures help ensure vaping products are used only by adults who need them as a tool to quit smoking.

What you need to know about vapes

• Vaping is a way for adults to stop smoking – not something for non-smokers, especially children and young people to try.
• Vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking but that does not mean it is harmless.
• Vaping exposes users to some toxins, and we do not yet know what the risks might be in the longer term.
• Most vapes contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance that can be hard to stop using once you have started.
• Nicotine is more risky for young people than for adults, as evidence suggests the developing brain is more sensitive to its addictive effects.
• In the UK, it is against the law to sell nicotine vaping products to under-18s or for adults to buy them on their behalf.
• Some disposable vapes on sale are illegal and do not meet UK safety regulations. They can contain high levels of harmful substances.

You can find lots of information about vapes and nicotine on the Frank website

REMEMBER: IF YOU DON'T SMOKE DON'T START TO VAPE

Where to get advice and support

If you are concerned about a young person’s smoking, vaping or any other aspect of their health, speak to the team at Doncaster’s young person’s service Zone 5-19 on: 0300 0218997.

Vapes are available for free to help adults stop smoking, to find out more, you can contact our friendly team by visiting the Smokefree Doncaster website, or by telephone on 0800 612 0011 or 0330 660 1166, or text YES to 80800. This service is free to anyone living in Doncaster, and includes support and medication to help you quit. 

To find out more about information about vapes visit the NHS website

How to report the sales of illegal and underage vapes

Vapes and vaping products containing nicotine, like tobacco, are age restricted. It’s illegal to sell them to under 18s, and for adults to buy them on their behalf. If you know of anyone who does sell vapes, or tobacco illegally, you can anonymously report them to trading standards through the Citizens Advice online portal or by contacting Trading Standards.

Advertising of all tobacco products is illegal, but if you see advertising for vapes that you feel is trying to encourage children and young people to try vaping, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority.

 

 

If you are a professional who works with young people and would like more information and resources on vaping visit the Healthy Learning Healthy Lives website