2023 has been one of significant change here at ASH Wales, as we research and advise on the rise of youth vaping as well as continuing our crucial work in tobacco control.
There was big news in smoking history in 2023 with the UK Government’s plan to raise the Age of Sale on Tobacco, this proposed legislation will mean it will be an offence for anyone born on or after 1st January 2009 to be sold tobacco products. This is a huge step in the right direction and ASH Wales fully supports this.
We have amazing plans for 2024 to support Welsh Communities with Smoking and Vaping, but first let’s have a look at just some of the work we did in 2023.
Vaping Focus Group
Earlier in 2023, as a direct response to the vaping concerns from our communities, ASH Wales organised a pivotal Focus Group with Teachers and Senior School Members from across Wales. We listened to the concerns and experiences of those dealing first hand with young people who are vaping and are experiencing nicotine dependency.
It was clear there was a need for more support and education on e-cigarettes and what nicotine dependency can mean for young people, so we stepped in with the below:
Webinars
Some of you may already know and have joined us for our webinars. ASH Wales delivered a series of Webinars on Vaping and the Illicit Market in Wales, thanks to our funders at The Community Fund. Over 320 of you joined us for the live events, discussing the facts, the statistics, shared concerns and asked important questions.
With help from some important guest speakers from Hywel Dda University Health Board with their excellent support work for young people with nicotine dependency, and Trading Standards Wales with the imperative investigations and closure orders on sellers of illegal products.
Through the series we outlined the basics on vapes, how they’re impacting children and young people, how we can take supportive action in schools, and how to report criminal sellers.
If you missed the live webinars, you can watch them on our website by registering below – and keep your eyes peeled for future webinars:
Vaping Survey
When trying to design resources and projects on this topic, we saw there was a lack of data on vaping prevalence and experiences among young people. There wasn’t a clear picture on what the vaping landscape looked like.
In the first of its kind survey, an overwhelming amount of secondary school pupils have participated in our Vaping Survey. Over 11,000 students across Wales have shared their experiences and opinions with us on vaping.
This data will provide a never-seen-before insight into the issue of underage vaping and illegal vaping products and could guide Wales in the right direction of solutions and support networks.
The survey has now closed, and the results will be shared in the New Year, so keep an eye on our socials and your inbox for the latest news on this.
School Support
We recognise that there is little information and support for teachers, school nurses, parents and carers. As a response, vaping resources and workshops have been developed by ASH Wales for schools across Wales, including teacher training and guidance on lessons through a holistic approach in contexts such as peer pressure and decision making.
These are currently being piloted in Anglesey and will be available in the New Year,
No Ifs. No Butts.
Teaming up with funders Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, in 2023, we tackled the illicit Tobacco and Vape Market in North Wales.
With an increase in community outreach events and enforcement work with Trading Standards Wales, the campaign saw a boost in reports for North Wales as well as an overall increase in campaign awareness and engagement across Wales.
The campaign push for North Wales assisted Trading Standards Wales to further their investigations and support enforcement seizures, disrupting criminals and their sales to our Welsh communities and protecting young people from addiction. It important we continue to report criminals to reduce the availability and accessibility of these products to our children and young people.
If you would like to know more about this work, or would like to anonymously report sales or suspicious activity in your area, please click the link below:
Annual Survey
Each year ASH Wales conduct a national survey across Wales for an overview on smoking and vaping prevalence. The survey provides an insight into behaviours and attitudes towards smoking and vaping; information that is pivotal in guiding health policies, campaigns and outreach work, not just for ASH Wales but for our friends in other organisations tackling similar issues.
In Wales, 13% of adults told us they smoke and the majority say they want to give up at some point. The health, financial and societal benefits of quitting are huge, so finding positive and appropriate ways to support these people remains a priority for us all.
For the latest update, click below to view the report:
StopiOctober
In 2022, we created Wales’ answer to Stoptober, StopiOctober, and promoted stop-smoking services across the country online.
In 2023, we stepped up our game with the second year of StopiOctober activities, visiting our communities with resources to talk about the benefits of quitting smoking. Our Project Delivery Leader, Tirion visited Schools to discuss the importance of avoiding cigarettes and smoking as well as the benefits of quitting.
WHAT HAVE WE GOT PLANNED FOR 2024?
So what’s happening this year?
