Acting on vaping in response to the Listening Project

During last year’s Listening Project, and at the Youth Voice Day in October, Essex young people shared concerns around vaping and feeling unsafe due to some of the associated behaviour around it such as antisocial behaviour.

The young people had suggestions and produced action points about what they wanted to see change. It is great to be able to say positive change is happening, and that is in part, due to the voices of our young people.

In Essex a youth vaping working group has formed and is looking at the reasons and behaviours behind why young people choose to vape. These findings will be used to try and change these driving behaviours to stop vaping; the group will also work on how best to prevent young people from ever starting to vape.

In the education sector, Essex Public Health, The Children’s Society, Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service and The Training Effect are working together to develop a harm reduction behaviour change programme which includes teaching resources and training materials for secondary schools, information for parents and carers, and support plans for young people who want to change their vaping behaviour.  This is currently being piloted in five Essex secondary education settings and will be offered to more schools from September 2025.

On a national level, this month a ban on the sale and supply of disposable vapes comes into effect across the UK.  This ban will apply to all retailers, including both high street and online shops, and aims to reduce environmental waste and protect young people’s health.  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban

We are really pleased that young people are being listened to, that their health and wellbeing is being considered and prioritised and they are being taught that their voices matter.