Nicotine addiction overwhelmingly begins in childhood – and family influence remains the strongest factor. Despite decades of progress in tobacco control, our latest data shows that 24% of children in Years 7-11 still live with someone who smokes, significantly increasing their chances of developing a lifelong addiction to nicotine.

Breaking the Cycle: Darren’s Story

Growing up around smoking makes it far more likely that young people will take up the habit themselves. Darren Daniel from Carmarthenshire, better known as TikTok Kidney Warrior, is proof of just how powerful that influence can be.

Darren had his first cigarette at 12 years old, in a home where smoking was the norm.

“It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. Both my parents smoked, and so had both sets of my grandparents. The smell of tobacco was just part of life, lingering in the air like an old friend,” Darren said.

Like so many smokers, that first cigarette turned into 25 years of addiction. It wasn’t until he developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) that he finally quit.

“If I could go back and talk to that 12-year-old kid, I would tell them what I know now. That one cigarette turns into two, then into years. It’s not just a habit, it’s a thief, slowly taking away pieces of your health before you even realise they’re gone.”

Now a passionate advocate for quitting, Darren is determined to break the cycle in his own family.

“My son, Thomas, has never known a home filled with smoke. I quit because of my health, but I stay quit because I want him to grow up free from the addiction that controlled me for so long.”

Read Darren’s full story here

New Data: How Nicotine Addiction is Changing

In 2024, we ran a survey of 12,524 secondary school students across Wales to uncover youth smoking and vaping habits—the largest of its kind in the UK.

The results confirmed that young people growing up in smoking households are four times more likely to smoke than those from non-smoking households. Among Year 11 students who live with a smoker, 13% are now regular smokers, compared to just 3.1% of those who don’t live with a smoker or vaper.

But the way young people are becoming addicted is shifting. Nearly half (45%) of regular teenage vapers in Wales say they can’t get through the school day without vaping, and 26% want to stop but can’t.

And vaping is just one part of the problem. The nicotine industry is constantly adapting, introducing new products like nicotine pouches and heated tobacco, which are marketed as alternatives but still pose a serious risk of addiction for young people.

No Smoking Day 2025: Encouraging Young People to Choose Health

To mark No Smoking Day on 12th March, we joined 79 young runners at Tredegar House for Newport Junior Parkrun, helping to inspire healthier choices for the next generation.

Among those who know the benefits of quitting first-hand are John and Tina Weatherbed from Newport.

John started smoking at 14, eventually reaching 60 cigarettes a day. He quit 12 years ago after realising that he and his wife had smoked 200 cigarettes between them in a single day.

“Since I quit, my life has completely changed. My breathing is better, and I’m doing things I’d never have done before—I’m even signed up for the Snowdonia Marathon this autumn!” said John, who now volunteers at Tredegar House Parkrun.

Tina, a Junior Parkrun volunteer director, is now working on quitting vaping.

“I started smoking at 18 just to get extra breaks at work. I’m still using vapes, but I’m cutting down. Since quitting smoking, we’ve travelled more and had experiences we never would have before.”

John Griffiths MS on No Smoking Day & Junior Parkrun Partnership

John Griffiths MS, member for Newport East and chair of the Cross Party Group on Smoking and Health, said:

“Off the back of last year’s inaugural Active Newport event, I am pleased to hear about the partnership between ASH Wales and the Newport Junior Parkrun. It was great to see so many youngsters starting their Sunday morning with the run, but also using it to highlight the importance of No Smoking Day. This is about instilling good habits at a young age, which I hope they will then take into adulthood.”

Help to Quit

With No Smoking Day on 12 March, we’re urging anyone struggling with nicotine addiction, whether cigarettes, vapes, or nicotine pouches to seek support. Free help is available through Help Me Quit. Visit helpmequit.wales for more information