Almost a fifth of under-18s have tried vapes, research finds

Almost a fifth of children under the age of 18 have tried vaping, a report has revealed.

It is illegal for tobacco or vapes to be sold to under-18s, but research found 18.8% of youngsters aged between 11 and 17 have tried vaping.

The research, carried out by health campaigners at Ash Scotland and published by the Scottish Government, found 10% had only tried a vape once or twice, but 7.4% were identified as “current vapers”.

This included 4.6% who said they were “regular vapers”, using products more than once a week, while 2.8% were “occasional vapers”.

Almost two-thirds (64.8%) of those who have tried vaping said their first vape was given to them by someone they know – most commonly a friend (59.8%), while 5% were given their first vape by a relative.

Disposables were the most popular type of vapes used by first-timers (74.5%), while 61.8% of current vapers said this was the type of device they use most often.

When asked about the flavour used most often, the majority said they opt for fruit flavours (58.5%), followed by menthol/mint (10%) and chocolate, desserts, sweet or candy flavour (6.3%).

Curiosity was cited as the main reason for young people to try vaping, with 40.8% saying they had “wanted to give it a try”, while 12.8% said the appeal of the flavours had encouraged them to try vaping, and 10.4% cited peer influence.

The survey also found 16.6% of 11 to 17-year-olds had tried smoking, including 6.9% who only tried it once.

However 4.4% were identified as current smokers, with 1.3% of young people said to be regular smokers – smoking once a week or more – while 3.1% were “occasional smokers”.

A total of 677 youngsters aged between 11 and 17 were surveyed for the research – up from previous years when only about 200 children had been involved.

This year support from the Scottish Government allowed for a larger sample for “more robust analysis”.

The research was published at the same time as the Government tabled a Legislative Consent Motion so measures in the UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill will also apply in Scotland.

If this is passed, it will prevent anyone born after January 1 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought.

The Bill – which had been brought forward by the previous Conservative government before being reintroduced by Labour after the general election – will also bring in restrictions on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as restricting flavours, displays and the packaging of e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to children and young people.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said: “We welcome the UK Government’s reintroduction of the UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Bill and have worked closely across the four nations on its development.

“The exact provisions and applications to Scotland will need approval by the Scottish Parliament and we are beginning the process to enable that scrutiny.

“We have been highlighting the need for this legislation, which is supported by chief medical officers across the UK and can help us create a tobacco-free generation.

“The commitment to gradually end the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after the 1st of January 2009 will protect children from the toxic effects of smoking.

“Banning vapes and nicotine products from being branded, promoted and advertised to children can help stop the next generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.

“Smoking causes huge harms to individuals, their families and loved-ones and wider impacts for the National Health Service and society, while being a major contributor to health inequalities, all of which is why our shared goal is to eradicate tobacco use.”

Disposable vapes will be banned from June 1, 2025 under separate legislation.