Vaping is when you use a device, known as an e-cigarette or vape, to inhale a vapour that's usually flavoured and contains nicotine.
Vaping to stop smoking
Vaping is safer than smoking and proven to help you stop smoking.
There are lots of different benefits to making the switch from smoking to vaping:
- Less risk: even though vaping isn't completely safe, most of the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, including tar and carbon monoxide, aren't contained in vapes.
- Less cost: vaping is considerably cheaper than smoking. Studies have shown that smoking costs 3 times as much as vaping.
- Variety: vapes come in lots of different flavours and nicotine strengths that make it easier for you to find a combination that works to help you quit.
- The smell: when you smoke, you smell like cigarettes. When you vape, you don't smell of vapes.
If you're interested in stopping smoking, you can get help to stop smoking on our website.
The risks of vaping
While vaping is safer than smoking and can help adult smokers quit, the long-term effects of vaping are still unknown and it isn't risk free. Children, and adults who have never smoked, should not vape.
Tips to stop vaping
If you want to quit vaping, there are ways to make quitting more manageable.
- Gradually reduce the strength of nicotine in your e-liquid (if you use a disposable vape, you could switch to a refillable device to do this).
- Extend the time between vaping.
- Set rules for yourself about where you do and do not vape, for example only outside of the home or only on breaks at work.
You can speak to your pharmacist about nicotine replacement treatments.
Concerns about young people vaping
Young people are particularly at risk when it comes to vaping.
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.
While there are age restrictions on who can buy vapes and e-cigarettes, there has been an alarming rise in young people using vapes and e-cigarettes.
Some illegal vapes have been found to contain dangerous toxins and metals. Children using illegal vapes could be inhaling more than twice the daily safe amount of lead, and 9 times the safe amount of nickel.
High levels of inhaled lead will damage a child’s central nervous system and brain development.
If you have any concerns about a young person vaping or smoking, there are different ways you can report your concerns.
- Get in touch with the school nursing team: view the school nursing map to find contact details.
- Get in touch with Early Break: Early Break offers young people and family services and can give you advice and support.
Disposable vape ban
On Monday, 29 January 2024, the government announced that it intends to ban disposable vapes as part of its plans to protect children’s health and deal with the rise in youth vaping.
Disposable vapes have been a key reason behind the surge in youth vaping with the proportion of 11 to 17-year-olds using them increasing by 9 times in the past 2 years.