Public health leaders agree London-wide approach to tackle youth vaping

Concerted action is needed to protect children and young people in London from the harmful effects of youth vaping, according to health leaders across the capital.

In a joint statement, public health directors, medical experts and academics back stronger measures to reduce the appeal of vapes to under-18s and say clear messaging is required to highlight the potential risks they pose to people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Consistent London-wide enforcement of age-of-sale laws – including opportunities to anonymously report retailers selling illicit vape products – is also vital, they say.

Vapes – also known as e-cigarettes – are recommended as a quit aid to help adults stop smoking as they do not burn tobacco and therefore reduce exposure to toxins that cause cancer, lung disease and cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

Data published by Action on Smoking and Health shows the proportion of young people in Great Britain who vape remained constant at around 7% between April 2022 and March 2025 (equivalent to approx. 400,000 under-18s). Among those aged 16-18, the vaping rate fell slightly and in the 11-16 age group it increased, albeit only by a very small number.

However, vaping is not risk free. Vapes are not suitable for children and young people and their use among under-18s has prompted concerns about nicotine addiction, mental health and other unknown longer term health impacts.

On 1 June 2025, a ban on disposable vapes came into effect in the UK to deter use among under-18s and minimise environmental impact. Meanwhile, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – currently going through Parliament – aims to create a “smoke-free generation” by gradually raising the legal age for buying tobacco products and regulating vapes.

Alongside these measures, health leaders in London have now outlined the collective approach they believe is crucial to effectively address vaping among under-18s. In a joint position statement, they say all public sector organisations across the capital should:

• Use clear, consistent public health messaging to explain the risks of vaping, especially on mental health, addiction and the unknown long-term impact
• Acknowledge that while vaping may support adult smoking cessation, its widespread availability and appeal has been harmful to children and young people
• Support stronger action to reduce vapes’ appeal, as set out in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, and back policies that restrict flavours, packaging and marketing that target children
• Ensure effective enforcement of age-of-sale laws, including for non-nicotine and alternative nicotine products, and identify opportunities for people to anonymously report retailers selling illicit vape products via the Reporter Consumer Crime Tool.

The position statement, coordinated by London Tobacco Alliance (LTA), also calls for vaping prevention to be integrated into wider wellbeing education, improved sharing of guidance to support young people to stop vaping, and greater collaboration around research to identify the most effective ways of tackling vape use by under-18s.

Kirsten Watters, Lead for Children and Young People at the London Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH London) and Dr Somen Banerjee, Lead for Tobacco Control at ADPH London, said:

“Evidence clearly shows that vaping can be a useful and effective quit aid for adult smokers, and we know it is significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco.

“However, for those who do not smoke vapes are not risk-free and their use among children and young people is concerning. Anyone aged under 18 should not be using vapes as they can lead to nicotine addiction and may have other unknown health impacts

“Working collaboratively across London, public health leaders have now developed a clear position on young people and vaping. This sets out the evidence base and public messages jointly agreed by health organisations across the capital, so that there will be a unified approach to reducing vaping among London’s children.

“One of the ways we can do this is to proactively support children and young people by listening to them and understanding the challenges that may lead to vaping.”

Dr Chris Streather, NHS England (London Region) Medical Director and co-chair of London Tobacco Alliance, said:

“While vaping plays a key role in helping adults quit smoking, it is vital we protect children and young people from its potential harms.

“The NHS fully supports coordinated action across London to reduce youth vaping and ensure clear, consistent messaging about the risks. Safeguarding the health of future generations must remain a top priority.”

Publication of the position statement follows the recent launch by London Trading Standards (LTS) of a new dedicated website – Say Something Save Someone – where children and young people worried about vapes being used or sold can report their concerns anonymously. The reporting page can be found at www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/say-something-save-someone

The thoughts and opinions of young people on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill are also highlighted in a report published this summer by the Partnership for Young London and LTA. Research for the report – Breath of Fresh Air: A Smoke Free Future – was coordinated by a group of 16- to 25-year-olds from across the capital.

• The London Youth Vaping Position Statement can be read in full here. The LTA will review the statement on an annual basis, in response to emerging medical evidence and to ensure it continues to align with national policy and regulatory frameworks.