Young people and smoking
Smoking rates among young people have fallen significantly over recent decades largely due to increased awareness of health harms, stronger tobacco control and changing social norms. However, a small number of young people still experiment with cigarettes, often influenced by peer pressure, stress or family smoking habits. Starting to smoke at a young age increases the risk of long‑term addiction and serious health problems later in life.
Young people and vaping
Most young people do not vape regularly however many have tried it. Vaping has become more common among young people (particularly those who have never smoked) due to flavours, social media influence and perceptions that vaping is harmless. While vaping is less harmful than smoking for adults who switch from smoking to vaping – it is not risk‑free and can expose young people to nicotine addiction. There is concern that vaping may normalise nicotine use and increase the likelihood of future smoking. Youth vaping and youth smoking are closely linked through shared risk factors such as peer influence, curiosity, stress and exposure to nicotine at a young age. Evidence shows that young people who vape are more likely to go on to try smoking than those who have never vaped, raising concerns that vaping may act as a gateway to cigarette use for some. Early nicotine exposure can increase dependence and make future tobacco use more appealing or harder to resist. While vaping may help adult smokers to quit, in young people it risks normalising nicotine use and undermining long‑term progress in reducing youth smoking. ((insert link here to the Stop Vaping Tips for Young People which is a Button on the Vaping section).
Young people and nicotine pouches
Nicotine pouches are an emerging product among some young people – often marketed as discreet and tobacco‑free – which can make them appear low risk. They still however contain nicotine and can quickly lead to dependence, particularly in young users whose brains are more vulnerable to addiction. There are concerns that curiosity and peer influence may drive use and that nicotine pouches could act as another pathway into long‑term nicotine use. Big tobacco (a main manufacturer of these products) uses multiple flavours and mass advertising to target youths to try these products.
Get in touch
If you would like support to stop smoking, vaping or using nicotine pouches or talk to one of our Quit Your Way team, please contact us using the self-referral form below.
You can also contact us by email or telephone or follow us on Facebook.
Freephone: 0800 783 9132
Email: QYWAyrshire@aapct.scot.nhs.uk