RESEARCH ALERT
Some vapes use added chemicals to create a cold or icy feeling. New research has raised concerns about three of them: WS-23, WS-3 and WS-5. We do not yet know how common they are in Wales.
More than half of Welsh adults who have heard of vapes wrongly believe vaping is as harmful as smoking or worse, new ASH Wales YouGov findings show.
A new UK excise duty on vaping products starts today, 1 October 2026. Here is what the £2.20 per 10ml duty, new vape duty stamps and higher tobacco duty mean in Wales.
SAFETY ALERT
UK Trading Standards tested 76 vapes sold as nicotine-free. Ten contained nicotine. This does not mean one in ten nicotine-free vapes across the UK contains nicotine.
ON OUR RADAR
UK law was written broadly enough to cover possible future nicotine products such as gels, creams and nasal inhalers. We have not confirmed that these are established consumer products in Wales or the UK.
PRODUCT WATCH
Caffeine pouches are being sold in the UK in the same small under-the-lip format as nicotine pouches. They contain caffeine, not nicotine.
A youth-friendly leaflet explaining underage sales of tobacco and vapes, including proxy purchasing, online sellers and how the law applies.
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A youth-friendly leaflet explaining illegal tobacco and vapes, warning signs to look out for and how to report a concern without needing proof.
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An easy-to-read leaflet explaining vaping, nicotine addiction, common side effects, myths and how to report concerns about illegal vapes.
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An easy-to-read leaflet explaining how smoking in pregnancy can affect a baby’s oxygen supply and development, and why quitting at any stage can help.
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An easy-to-read leaflet explaining why sharing vapes can spread infections, increase nicotine exposure and make product contents harder to judge.
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An easy-to-read leaflet explaining what nicotine is, how it affects the brain and body, and why it can become addictive.
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