The latest data from the School Health Research Network shows that 15.9% of Year 11 students in Wales are regular users of e-cigarettes and more than 45% have tried them, according to Tenby-Today, November 5.
Over a quarter (25.7%) of students from grades 7 to 11 have used e-cigarettes, an increase from 20.5% in 2021. Notably, e-cigarette use has risen significantly among girls, 11th-grade students, and non-smokers since 2021. From 2021 to 2023, the weekly vaping rate has increased across all grades except for 7th grade.
Girls (8.6%) are more likely to vape regularly than boys (5.1%). 11th-grade students (15.9%) are also more likely to use e-cigarettes than those in lower grades.
In contrast, only 5.5% of 11th-grade students now smoke regularly, down from 7.5% in 2021. Less than 3% of students from grades 7 to 11 smoke regularly, with most of them also using e-cigarettes.
The Welsh Public Health Department has welcomed the UK government's introduction of the Tobacco and Vaping Bill.
Chris Emmerson, a public health advisor in Wales, commented: "This new data shows that e-cigarette use among Welsh teenagers is rapidly increasing, similar to trends across the UK. While the risks of vaping are much lower than smoking, they are not risk-free."
"As our multi-agency vaping response group emphasized last year, teachers and youth workers are increasingly raising alarms about the growing number of nicotine-dependent students of school age. The provisions in the new bill are crucial measures to curb this rising trend."
"The Welsh Public Health Department also welcomes the bill's provisions to raise the legal age for tobacco sales. With smoking rates among students from grades 7 to 11 at an all-time low, this is an important legislative opportunity to pass life-saving laws for this generation."
We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.
Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn
Notice
1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.
2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.
4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.
Copyright
This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.
For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com
AI Assistance Disclaimer
This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.
We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com
