What does the NHS say about young people and vaping?
New figures from NHS Digital show a decrease in numbers of school children taking drugs and smoking cigarettes but a rise in vaping, with 9% of 11 to 15 year olds currently using e-cigarettes. 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 20181, statistics published today show. The Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England, 2021 report2 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.
Electronic cigarette use (vaping)
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Introduction
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In 2014, pupils were asked for the first time about e-cigarettes, with further questions added in 2016. New legislation came into force in England and Wales on 1 October 2015, introducing a minimum age of sale of 18 for e-cigarettes and prohibiting the purchase of these products on behalf of someone under the age of 18. In 2015, Public Health England (PHE) published an independent evidence review on electronic cigarettes which concluded that the devices are significantly less harmful than smoking. The review also found no evidence that electronic cigarettes act as a route into smoking for children or non-smokers:
E-cigarettes: an evidence update
Pupils were asked about awareness, frequency and length of use, sources of e-cigarettes, success in obtaining them from shops, and attitudes to use. Current e-cigarette users were categorised as follows:
Regular users (defined as usually using an e-cigarette at least once per week)
Occasional users (defined as using an e-cigarette sometimes but less than once per week, but excluding those who had tried them just once or twice in total)
Lifetime use (ever used an e-cigarette) additionally includes ex e-cigarette users, and those who had only tried them once or twice.
The majority (88%) of pupils were aware of e-cigarettes. Pupils who said they weren't aware were not asked any further questions on e-cigarettes.
Attitudes to e-cigarette use
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Attitudes to e-cigarette use by people of pupil's age, by age
Despite the increase in prevalence of current e-cigarette use, the proportion of pupils who thought it was ok to try or use e-cigarettes has fallen compared to 2018.32% of pupils thought it was ok for people of their own age to try an e-cigarette to see what it's like, and 20% thought it was ok to use an e-cigarette once a week, compared to 36% and 24%, respectively, in 2018. Positive attitude increased with age; 5% of 11 year olds thought it was ok for someone of their own age to use an e-cigarette once a week, compared to 35% of 15 year olds.
