28/09/2023 - “Don’t smoke? Don’t start to vape!” warn Luton Council

The 2023 Schools Health Education Unit survey for Luton showed an increase from 14% (2021) to 29% of pupils responding that they had used an e-cigarette at least once or twice.

The increase in youth vaping has coincided with the arrival on the UK market of a new category of cheap, attractive, brightly coloured disposable vapes, some with sweet flavours and enticing names. These have been promoted extensively on social media and children are finding they can easily get access to them either online or at their local shops, so they are proving particularly popular with children and teenagers.

Some vapes contain nicotine which may be more risky for young people than for adults, as evidence suggests that in adolescents the brain is more sensitive to its effects and therefore they could get quickly addicted to the nicotine and it can also affect their brain development. Short term effects of vaping can include, headaches, dizziness, sleep problems and coughing.

Nationally, around 1 in 3 shops are selling illegal vapes, which are more dangerous than their regulated counterparts, as they can contain chemicals that are banned in this country and are harmful to health. All disposable vape pens that exceed 600 puffs, containing 2ml of liquid and 2% nicotine content, are illegal. 

Focus groups were held with children to seek their views to identify messages and images they would relate to, which would discourage them from trying a vape. The campaign featuring posters, as well as adverts to be displayed on digital screens, social media, buses and bus shelters will highlight the risks of vaping to children, raise awareness of illegal vapes and how to report them. Toolkits and posters will be also be provided to schools to assist them in educating children about the consequences of vaping.

Councillor Khtija Malik, Portfolio Holder for public health, said: “We are very worried about the increasing number of children who have never smoked but are trying vapes for the first time. We appreciate that children may vape because they think it looks cool or due to peer pressure, but we want them to be beware of the risks so that they stop and think twice about even trying a vape.

“We know that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, and can be used as an effective way to help adults quit smoking for good, but that doesn’t mean it is harmless, and as yet the long term effects are unknown.

 “So our advice to children and young people is: if you don’t smoke, don’t start to vape!”

Not only is vaping harmful to children’s health but disposable vapes can also have a negative impact on our environment. It’s estimated that 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in the UK. Single use vapes contain batteries and difficult to recycle plastics which break down in landfills. Dangerous chemicals pollute the soil which can be harmful to humans, animals and the environment.

Councillor Malik added: “We really want to work with parents, schools, youth organisations to help spread the word about the dangers of children vaping or there is a risk we could have generations of children addicted to nicotine.”

For more information visit: luton.gov.uk/vapes