Alarming rise in youth vaping in NI: PHA report highlights urgent public health concerns

A groundbreaking report from the Public Health Agency (PHA) has shed light on the escalating issue of vaping among young people in Northern Ireland.

Titled Behavioural Insights into Youth Vaping in Northern Ireland, the study surveyed over 7,500 pupils aged 11–18 across 91 post-primary schools, revealing critical insights into the motivations, perceptions, and health risks associated with e-cigarette use.

The findings, which also touch on tobacco use, underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to curb this growing public health challenge.

Widespread Vaping Among Teens

The PHA’s research paints a stark picture of vaping prevalence, particularly among older pupils. The report found that 15% of young people currently vape, with prevalence soaring to 46% among Year 14 pupils—ten times higher than the 4% recorded among Year 8 students.

Alarmingly, 98% of respondents had seen or heard of vapes, indicating near-universal awareness of these products among Northern Ireland’s youth.

Elaine Wilmot, Health Intelligence Manager at the PHA, highlighted the driving forces behind this trend:

“The rise of vaping among young people has become a pressing public health concern. We found that young people who vape are primarily motivated out of curiosity and by peer influences. Young people could easily access vapes, which were most commonly obtained from friends and family.”

The report also revealed that 76% of vapers had never smoked tobacco cigarettes before trying e-cigarettes, yet 33% of these individuals later experimented with cigarettes, suggesting vaping may serve as a gateway to traditional smoking for some.

Health Risks and Misconceptions

While many young people are aware of short-term health risks associated with vaping, such as respiratory issues, coughing, and breathlessness, the study uncovered significant gaps in understanding long-term consequences.

Approximately 40% of those who had vaped reported side effects, including headaches, dizziness, anxiety, and nausea.

Wilmot noted, “Although the majority recognised that nicotine use can lead to addiction and dependency, there is a general lack of understanding that nicotine use can increase the risk of developing or intensify mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.”

The influence of social media was identified as a key factor in glamorising vaping.

“Social media played a significant role in influencing young people’s perceptions of vaping,” Wilmot explained.

“Content can often glamorise the activity by using celebrities and influencers to promote vaping and the perceived fun aspects which can lead to increased usage and often downplay important information about nicotine content and the health consequences associated with vaping.”

Peer Pressure and School Environments

The study highlighted the role of peer influence and school settings in normalising vaping. Sharing vapes is commonplace, with 73% of ever-vapers reporting they had shared their device with others.

Additionally, vaping on school premises, particularly in bathrooms, was described as “very common and difficult to manage,” contributing to its normalisation among pupils.

“The school environment can also have a significant role in shaping young people’s perceptions of vaping as well as enabling it,” Wilmot added.

“Young people are being regularly exposed to vaping which can contribute to it being normalised, and can result in them viewing it as an acceptable behaviour.”

When asked why they vape, 57% of respondents cited peer pressure, stating it was “because most other people are doing it.” Other common motivations included curiosity (particularly among current vapers) and the desire to “look cool” or follow a popular trend.

Challenges in Quitting

The report also explored barriers to quitting vaping. While 64% of current vapers had attempted to quit, with 55% succeeding for a period, older pupils were less likely to try. Only 35% of current vapers expressed a clear desire to stop, with 14% indicating they would like support to do so.

The PHA suggests that normalising quitting within peer groups and addressing underlying issues like anxiety could make cessation services more appealing to young people.

Tobacco Use: A Persistent Concern

In addition to vaping, the report examined tobacco use, finding that 9% of pupils had smoked a cigarette, with 5% classified as current smokers. Of these, 26% smoked daily, and 14% had tried their first cigarette at age 10 or younger—a worrying trend, particularly in deprived areas where cigarette use was higher (12% compared to 7% in less deprived areas).

Colette Rogers, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, emphasised the role of education and family support in addressing both vaping and smoking:

“By providing information on vaping and raising awareness of the risks, we can help empower families and people working in care and education settings to have open and engaging conversations with young people to steer them away from these products.

“Parents and guardians can play an important role in helping young people understand the risks, so they don’t choose to use products such as vapes without realising the harm they could be exposing themselves to. Don’t wait until there’s a problem before you decide to talk.”

A Call for Action

The PHA’s findings highlight the need for a multifaceted approach to tackle youth vaping. Recommendations include stricter regulation of vape marketing and accessibility, evidence-based public health campaigns, and youth-focused cessation services.

Initiatives should focus on stress management, resisting peer pressure, and educating young people about nicotine levels and vaping chemicals.

Rogers stressed, “It is important to advise young people that regardless of what they have been told, even by a close friend, that vaping is not cool and they shouldn’t start to use these products as the long-term health effects are not yet fully known.”

The report also calls for longitudinal studies to track the evolving perceptions and long-term health impacts of vaping, as well as co-created initiatives that address young people’s core needs, such as mental health support.

Collaborative Efforts

The research was conducted in collaboration with key stakeholders, including Cancer Focus NI, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), and the Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum. Their contributions were instrumental in ensuring the study’s success and its potential to inform future public health strategies.

Moving Forward

The Behavioural Insights into Youth Vaping in Northern Ireland report serves as a critical wake-up call for policymakers, educators, and families. With vaping entrenched in youth culture and posing significant health risks, the PHA urges immediate action to protect young people from the allure of e-cigarettes.

For more information on vaping and available support, visit www.pha.site/vaping.