Growing concern over number of young people vaping

A new study has sparked growing concerns over the number of young people with a nicotine addiction through vaping.

About 10% of school pupils in Kent are current vapers, according to a study presented to Kent County Council (KCC).

The survey of 5,493 pupils at 33 schools found that 562 pupils vape and more than half said they did not wish to stop.

Jason Hickson, of KCC, said vaping was "perceived to be a socially acceptable thing to do, unlike smoking".

The study was presented to the health reform and public health cabinet committee against a background of growing concern about the health impacts of vaping on young people's bodies.

Mr Hickson said one third of the regular vapers felt the need to vape every hour.

"That's quite high and suggests that proportion are addicted," he said.

Vapes were mainly sourced from corner shops (49%) and vaping outlets (36%), while more than three quarters of respondents favoured fruit flavours.

Of social media platforms promoting vaping products, 52% of the sample cited TikTok, Mr Hickson added.

Mr Hickson added: "Over half of current vapers said they do not wish to stop, which is a little bit alarming."

Public health officials agreed that while vaping can wean smokers off tobacco, the products contain nicotine, which is considered addictive, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Rochester GP Dr Julian Spinks said much was unknown about the longer term effects of vape ingredients, such as moisture and glycerol, in young people.

It can cause short-term side effects such as coughing, dizziness, sore throats and headaches, as well as rapid heartbeats and teeth damage, he added.

"Some vapes have a higher nicotine content than cigarettes, and we don't want young people addicted to it," Dr Spinks said.

"Young people have got smaller bodies which are still growing and vaping could have greater side-effects.

"Nicotine is not a pleasant substance – it's not harmless. It is developed in plants as an insecticide."

There will be a ban on the sale of one-use disposable vape in June this year.

A similar survey will be carried out in 2026, to compare the statistics after the ban comes into force, the committee was told.

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