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FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN WALES

Vaping, smoking & nicotine: your questions, answered

What does nicotine actually do? Why does vaping seem so common? What if you want to stop, or you have seen a product that looks wrong? Start with the question you have.

What are you looking for?

Pick the question that is closest to what is going on for you.

Vaping, smoking & nicotine

What nicotine does, what vaping and smoking mean, and why cravings or dependence can happen.

Pressure, friends & fitting in

Friends, dares, stress, curiosity and those awkward moments where saying no can feel harder than it should.

Social media & influencers

Why nicotine can keep appearing in feeds, how repetition changes what feels normal, and what you can do about it.

New products & devices

Pouches, strips, pearls, smart vapes and unfamiliar products. Start here if you have seen something you do not recognise.

Illegal, fake or suspicious products

Seen a vape, seller or product that does not look right? You do not need proof, and you should not investigate it yourself.

Want to stop smoking or vaping?

Cravings, withdrawal and practical help if nicotine has become part of your day and you want to change that.

NEW PRODUCTS & DEVICES

Seen something that does not look like a normal vape?

Nicotine can now turn up in pouches, strips, pearls and other small products. Some vapes have colour screens, apps or designs that look more like gadgets or everyday objects.

If you do not recognise something, check the name and packaging. Do not taste it, open it or take it apart to work out what it is.

ILLEGAL, FAKE OR SUSPICIOUS?

You do not have to prove that something is illegal.

A vape, seller, social account or product can raise a concern even if you do not know the rules. Do not buy something to test it and do not confront a seller.

You can share what you saw or heard anonymously. A shop name, location, account, product or price can all be useful.

NICOFIENDS

Want to explore pressure and choices in a different way?

Nicofiends has activities about pressure, products, feelings, marketing and access. The pressure page uses everyday situations to help you think through what you might do.

Looking for Wales statistics or research?

Our separate evidence page covers smoking and vaping trends, the latest Wales data, research and prevention evidence about young people.