Parents and carers across Wales are facing new challenges when it comes to nicotine. Whether it’s disposable vapes, nicotine pouches, or social media trends that glamorise use, it’s no longer just about cigarettes.

Update: Nico-Teens has now been replaced by our Parent Support hub, which brings practical help for parents and carers together in one place.

When this article was first published, ASH Wales had created Nico-Teens in response to parents and communities asking for clearer support around smoking, vaping and nicotine.

Why This Matters Now?

According to our 2025 Trends in Awareness and Usage of Nicotine Products report, use of e-cigarettes among 18–24-year-olds in Wales has risen from just 3% in 2014 to 16% in 2025. Awareness of nicotine pouches in this age group has also soared from 47% in 2020 to 79% in 2025, with 1 in 10 young adults now using them.

This mirrors what we’re seeing in younger age groups, too. In our 2024 Youth Vaping Survey, which reached over 12,000 pupils in secondary schools across Wales, we found that:

• Nearly 1 in 4 pupils in Years 7–11 had tried vaping
• 7% of pupils in this age group were current vapers
• 45% of those who vape said they couldn’t go the whole school day without it
• Over half (55%) were using vapes likely to be illegal or untested

These figures show the scale of the issue, but also how many young people may now be living with nicotine dependence.

Support Parents Need

Many parents are feeling unprepared when faced with new products like pouches, heat-not-burn or refillable kits. Unsure how to start conversations, how to spot the signs, or how to respond calmly if they found something worrying.

This new section of our website is full of easy-to-read advice. Covering:

• How to talk to younger children about nicotine in a calm, age-appropriate way
• How to support a teenager who’s using nicotine or struggling to stop
• What to do if you vape or smoke yourself
• How to tell if a product is illegal, and what to do if you’re concerned
• What to expect from withdrawal, and tips to manage it
• What happens if your child gets caught using nicotine in school

A Trusted, Free Resource for Families in Wales

This resource is completely free and available to anyone. If you’re a teacher, youth worker, school nurse or family support officer, you are welcome to share the link with families you work with.

The page is updated regularly and complements wider support available through Help Me Quit Wales, who offer free stop smoking support for young people aged 12 and up. Visit the Parent Support hub