Guernsey to Launch Pilot Service to Support Young People in Quitting Vaping

Strategic Insights -

A three-tier pilot service, aimed at supporting young people in quitting vaping, is expected to be launched this summer. The service is in response to the growing concern of vaping among young people, with about one in 10 regularly vaping and a quarter looking to quit. The service, detailed in the Combined Substance Use Strategy Annual Report, will be implemented by Public Health Services and will offer varying levels of support, including self-help booklets, face-to-face behavioral support, and nicotine replacement therapy. The report notes that the service will run for an initial six-month pilot period to understand the level of demand and impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • A three-tier pilot service will be launched to support young people in quitting vaping, with a focus on those aged 12-18 and up to age 25 for care-experienced individuals.
  • The service will include a self-help booklet (tier one), face-to-face behavioral support (tier two), and nicotine replacement therapy with immediate stop to the habit (tier three).
  • The pilot service is expected to be operational during the summer term and will run for an initial six-month period to understand the level of demand and impact.
  • Director of Public Health Dr Nicola Brink is pleased to see vaping age-restriction legislation agreed by the States and notes that supporting young people to stop vaping will be an important action of the strategy for 2025.
  • The public health message is clear: while vapes remain an important smoking cessation aid for adults, if you don't smoke, don't vape.
  • Guernsey's smoking rate has been steadily decreasing, with less than 10% of islanders now smoking.
  • A new 'smokefree alfresco champions' scheme is being developed to create more smoke and vape-free outdoor dining spaces, expected to be launched this year.
  • Substance use lead Andrea Nightingale notes that levels of vaping among young people are a public health concern, and the proposals are a vital upstream approach to addressing this.

Statistics:

  • About one in 10 young people in Guernsey are regularly vaping.
  • A quarter of young people are looking to quit vaping.
  • Guernsey's smoking rate has decreased to less than 10% of islanders now smoking.
  • The smoking ban in cars carrying children and the introduction of enabling law that will allow restrictions on the age of sale and promotion and advertising of vaping products have been agreed by the States.

Sources:

  • Combined Substance Use Strategy Annual Report
  • Guernsey Government
  • Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health
  • Andrea Nightingale, Health Improvement Commission substance use lead