Gloucestershire Launches Webpage to Educate Young People and Parents on Vaping Risks

Strategic Insights -

The Gloucestershire County Council, in collaboration with various organizations, has developed a new webpage to inform young people and parents about the dangers of vaping. The resource aims to educate about the potential health risks associated with adolescent vaping, including respiratory complications and addiction. According to the Gloucestershire 2024 Pupil Wellbeing Survey, 45% of Year 12 pupils and 29.4% of Year 10 pupils have tried vaping. The webpage is part of Gloucestershire's strategy to support people to stop smoking, endorsing the use of vapes as a tool to aid adults in quitting tobacco smoking, while deterring young people from ever starting to vape or smoke.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new webpage was developed through the collaboration of Gloucestershire County Council public health, Trading Standards, teachers, GPs, school nurses, the youth support team, Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning, and voluntary sector agencies.
  • The webpage aims to educate young people and parents about the dangers of vaping, including respiratory complications and addiction.
  • The Gloucestershire 2024 Pupil Wellbeing Survey found that 45% of Year 12 pupils and 29.4% of Year 10 pupils have tried vaping.
  • Given young people's developing lungs and brains are more susceptible to nicotine, vaping presents a heightened risk for them compared to adults.
  • The webpage is part of Gloucestershire's strategy to support people to stop smoking, which endorses the use of vapes as a tool to aid adults in quitting tobacco smoking.
  • The government's ban on the sale of single-use vapes, effective since June 1, aims to deter young people from vaping.
  • Siobhan Farmer, director of public health at Gloucestershire County Council, encourages residents to report single-use vapes to Gloucestershire Trading Standards.

Statistics:

  • 45% of Year 12 pupils and 29.4% of Year 10 pupils have tried vaping (Gloucestershire 2024 Pupil Wellbeing Survey).
  • The government's ban on single-use vapes became effective on June 1.
  • Single-use vapes have significantly contributed to the surge in vaping among young people.

Sources:

  • Gloucestershire County Council
  • NHS Gloucestershire
  • Gloucestershire 2024 Pupil Wellbeing Survey
  • Trading Standards