Youth Vaping – Information for Parents, Carers and Guardians

Vaping among children and young people is an increasing concern across London. To help address this, a London‑wide Youth Vaping Position Statement has been agreed by London’s Directors of Public Health and coordinated by the London Tobacco Alliance.

This statement sets out clear, evidence‑based messages to protect young people from the harms of vaping and to ensure consistent information is shared across schools, communities and services.

What parents and carers should know

Vapes are not risk‑free, especially for children and young people.
Most young people do not vape – around 92% of 11 to 17‑year‑olds neither smoke nor vape.
About 7% of 11 to 17‑year‑olds vape regularly, and around 20% have tried vaping at least once.
Vaping is not recommended for young people, particularly those who have never smoked.
Creating vape‑free environments helps reduce social pressure on young people to vape.

While vaping can help some adults to stop smoking, the long‑term health effects for children and young people are still unknown, and prevention is key.

How London is responding

The position statement highlights five key priorities to reduce youth vaping:

Prevention first – clear, consistent messaging about the risks of vaping
Whole‑person health promotion – linking vaping education to wider wellbeing topics, such as mental health
Stronger regulation and enforcement – limiting access and appeal of vapes to young people
Support for young people – helping those who want to stop vaping
Research and evidence – improving understanding of youth vaping trends

Schools, health services and local authorities are working together across London to support these priorities and protect children and young people.

Support for young people

Many young people who vape want to stop, and with the right support, stopping is achievable. The amount of help needed varies depending on the individual, and support should always be age‑appropriate and non‑judgemental.

Find out more

You can read the full London Youth Vaping Position Statement and supporting information below. This information provides more detailed guidance for schools, professionals and partners working with children and young people across London.

https://www.londontobaccoalliance.org.uk/resources/london-youth-vaping-position-statement/