The vaping trend among young people

In 2024 the NHS reported that almost 1 in 10 secondary school pupils currently vape and that a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vaping.

Whilst the number of cigarette smokers has gone down year on year since 1974 in the UK, vaping is the new and growing trend. Whilst a helpful tool for adults who are looking to quit smoking, the electronic devices sport colourful packaging and come in a wide range of enticing flavours (e.g. watermelon, grape, bubble-gum and mint) that are particularly appealing to children. Vape designs can also resemble everyday items, such as highlighter pens and fidget toys, making it easy for them to be hidden away.

Whilst the popular habit might seem harmless, one of the biggest misconceptions about vaping is that it is safe. This is simply not true – they may not contain harmful tar and carbon monoxide like cigarettes but they do contain nicotine which is highly addictive and several chemicals that can be damaging to both physical and mental health. In addition, the long-term effects of vaping are still widely unknown.

The risks of vaping include:

Addiction

Nicotine, the primary substance in most e-cigarettes, is highly addictive. Nicotine addiction can lead to various health issues, including increased risk of smoking traditional cigarettes.

Lung damage

The particles inhaled during vaping can cause inflammation and irritation in the lungs.  Severe lung injury, known as EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), has been linked to vaping.

Cardiovascular risks

The nicotine in e-cigarettes can increase heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to cardiovascular problems.

Harmful chemicals

Contrary to popular belief, vapes contain chemicals that can be damaging to health. There is also little known of the long-term effects of inhaling these substances.

Unregulated Products

Many vaping products are not well-regulated, leading to potential inconsistencies in product quality and safety. This increases the risk of exposure to harmful substances.

Explosions and Burns

Defective e-cigarette batteries have been known to explode, causing burns and injuries.

Impact on Brain Development

In adolescents, vaping nicotine can impact brain development, affecting memory, concentration, learning, self-control, and mood.

Our new Stop the Start project

Here at CADAS we believe in the power of education and that preventions is key to helping young people make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.

That’s why we will be delivering a new Stop the Start project from September 2025 – July 2026. This campaign will run across schools and youth groups in Cumberland and will include educational workshops and 1-1s specifically designed for 11–17-year-olds. We aim to reach 1000 young people across at least 20 settings.

To find out more about this fantastic new project, visit our Stop the Start page.

To book a workshop for your school or group visit our School Workshops page and select 'vaping'.

Our team are passionate about reducing harmful addiction across Cumbria and together we can make a real difference for the young people in our community.