The Vape Debate - 2025
The prevalence of vaping among children and young people (CYP) nationally has increased exponentially over the last few years. Ash (Action on Smoking and Health) found in 2024* that around 18% of 11-17-year-olds have tried vaping. In 2023 I in 7 of 14-17 year olds in the North West claimed to vape regularly which is more than double the level recorded in 2020**. There is not much data on the numbers in Salford, but an internal analysis published by the Youth Service in June 2023 showed that out of a small sample size of 40 CYP aged 11-18, a high proportion vaped.
Vaping amongst children and young people in Salford is a fast-growing problem. However, it’s apparent that it’s a problem still not fully addressed or understood by professionals and some parents.
We first established a working group including Staff and volunteers from Healthwatch Salford; Public Health; The Youth Service; School Improvement staff at Salford City Council and Early Break which are the organisation that are commissioned to offer support to young people on illicit vapes.
Highlights from the findings:
Of the 829 parents who responded, 6% were parents of primary school children. Overall, the highest response was from parents of children/young people (CYP) in Year 7 (22%), followed by Year 8 (19%) and Year 9 (19%). 57% of parents have never smoked, and 14% of parents are currently vaping. When parents were asked if they were aware of their child vaping 8% said yes, and 15% answered yes or unsure. 93% of all parents are very or somewhat concerned about the number of children and young people vaping.
Out of 493 CYP who submitted surveys, 37% attend primary school. 13% of CYP answered that they currently vape or answered sometimes. In addition to this a further 5% answered that they used to vape.
Out of 165 staff in schools, 7% work at primary schools. When staff were asked if they were concerned about the numbers of CYP vaping in schools 69% of staff were concerned. They reported that it was a particular problem in Year 10, followed by Year 11, and Year 9. From talking to pupils some staff estimated that between a quarter and a half of their pupils vape.
Recommendations
Short term (0-6 months)
Communication – Regular discussions across all Schools, e.g. standing agenda item at SHAPAS meeting, and council newsletter, monitoring numbers of vaping incidents and sharing good practice on tackling the issue.
Monitoring – School Safeguarding Officers to track levels of vaping incidents within schools, and report to the Children’s Safeguarding Board for monitoring and action. CYP vaping needs to be monitored on an ongoing basis not just as a one-off piece.
Raising awareness - With just less than half of school staff and only 1 in 4 parents being aware of the new legislation, Salford City Council alongside other relevant bodies to develop a plan to raise awareness of what the new Bill means.
Learning - Early Break specialist assemblies and workshops to be rolled out to all secondary schools in Salford (In view of the fact that a significant amount of young people, parents and teachers have reported that CYP are under the influence of other substances.)
Medium/long term (6 months – 2 years)
Learning/Awareness - All schools to have a policy on vaping, including primary schools, and all schools to ensure that all staff are aware of the policy.
Learning – Catch Your Breath sessions which have been trialed in a small number of primary schools to be rolled out across all primary schools so that CYP are reached before they start vaping. (With 18% of CYP who vape starting before the age of 8.)
Communication - Healthwatch Salford to produce a fact sheet on nicotine in vapes, and how to report illegal sales so that parents are empowered to support their child. To be distributed through Family Hubs and other organisations. (With 83% of CYP who vape saying that they are aware they contain nicotine yet still vape, and feelings of helplessness reported by parents.)
Communication - Salford City Council to also make information available online to parents who want to support their child to reduce or quit vaping – including access to the Trading Standards North West report, how to report establishments who sell vapes illegally, signs of addiction, sign posting etc.
Communication - The Youth Service/Youth Council to develop a section of their website/communications dedicated to vaping, signposting to support etc. (In view of the fact that youth workers are seen as trusted individuals who CYP would go to for support in quitting/reducing vaping.)
Awareness - Schools to allocate private areas where staff can vape without being seen by pupils or parents, where possible.
Learning – The Youth Service/Youth Council/Schools to consider developing a student role of “wellbeing champions”. (With most CYP reporting that they would ask a friend for support with reducing or quitting vaping.) This role could include vaping, mental health and other areas the CYP feel relevant.
