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Smoking and vaping are two sides of the same coin when it comes to the challenges facing young people today. While smoking rates among teens have decreased significantly over the years, new threats have emerged with the rise of vaping. Both habits are harmful, addictive, and often targeted at the most vulnerable in our communities—our children.
From glamorous depictions in media to brightly coloured vape packaging on store shelves, young people are bombarded with messages normalising these behaviours. Whether it’s a celebrity lighting up in a music video or social media influencers promoting cigarette culture, the influence on young minds is undeniable.
Despite progress, there is still so much work to be done to protect young people in Wales from the harms of smoking and vaping.
Smoking remains a critical issue among young people, with around 7% of 15–16-year-olds in Wales still smoking regularly. Meanwhile, vaping has surged, with 24% of children saying they’ve tried it and 13% of 15–16-year-olds vaping regularly.
Cultural factors, peer influence, and targeted marketing all play a role in why young people take up these habits. Smoking and vaping are increasingly intertwined, with many young people experimenting with both.
While we’ve made great strides in reducing smoking rates among young people, it’s not a battle we’ve won. Smoking is still glamorised in popular culture, with celebrities and influencers showcasing it as trendy. This exposure can undo years of progress, drawing young people into a habit that’s addictive and deadly.
Vaping may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, but for young people, it’s creating a new generation of nicotine dependency. Many vapes contain illegal levels of nicotine, and the fruity flavours and colourful packaging make them even more appealing to children.
Both smoking and vaping can have serious long-term health consequences. Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable illness and death, and vaping’s long-term effects are not yet fully understood. What we do know is that nicotine addiction, no matter the source, is harmful to mental and physical health.
Whether it’s smoking scenes in films or vape advertisements on social media, young people are constantly exposed to images that normalise these habits. This makes it harder to break the cycle of addiction and prevents young people from seeing smoking and vaping for what they are—harmful and dangerous.
Your support helps us create impactful campaigns and provide free resources to schools and communities across Wales. Every donation brings us closer to a smoke-free generation.
