New 2025 SHRN data shows regular vaping and smoking have fallen among secondary school learners in Wales. We look at the latest figures, what they mean and why prevention work still matters.
FOR SCHOOLS & YOUTH WORKERS
Smoking, vaping & nicotine resources for schools and youth workers in Wales
Free, practical materials for education and youth settings. Use them to teach about smoking, vaping and nicotine, explore pressure and influence, respond to concerns and signpost young people to support.
Updated: 25 September 2026
What does the latest Wales data show?
Most young people in Wales do not smoke or vape. The 2025 School Health Research Network survey included more than 130,000 learners in Years 7 to 11 across Wales and found that regular smoking and vaping had both fallen since 2023.
1.8%
smoked at least weekly
Years 7 to 11 in 2025, down from 2.7% in 2023.
5.2%
vaped at least weekly
Years 7 to 11 in 2025, down from 7% in 2023.
12.8%
of Year 11 learners vaped weekly
Down from 15.9% in 2023.
The overall trend is positive, but use rises with age and prevention still matters. Schools and youth settings are well placed to build knowledge, strengthen confidence and help young people recognise the pressures that can shape nicotine use.
Choose resources by age and setting
Start with the age group you work with. All ASH Wales materials are free to use.
Early years & primary
Simple activities that build awareness without making nicotine products feel more normal or interesting than they need to.
Secondary
Ready-to-use learning around smoking, vaping, nicotine, influence, health and newer products.
Health Risks of Smoking & Vaping – KS3
Youth & community settings
Shorter materials for informal education, one-to-one conversations, youth groups and community sessions.
Prevention without another lecture
Nicofiends is ASH Wales’ prevention programme for helping young people notice what is influencing them before nicotine use becomes established. Activities explore products, pressure, feelings, marketing and access, with space for young people to think rather than simply being told what to do.
When a young person is already smoking or vaping
Education and prevention are only part of the picture. If a young person is already using nicotine, a calm and supportive response can help you understand what is happening and what support they need.
1. Start with what is happening
Ask what they are using, how often, where it comes from and what they feel it does for them. Experimentation, regular use and nicotine dependence may need different responses.
2. Avoid turning it into a detective job
Focus on safety, support and the reasons behind use. If you are concerned about a seller or illegal product, you do not need to investigate it yourself.
3. Signpost support
Help Me Quit can support young people aged 12+ who want to stop smoking. Young people who vape can also contact Help Me Quit for specialist advice and available support.
Concerned about underage sales or illegal products?
You do not need proof, and you should not investigate or confront a seller. A shop name, location, online account, product, price or pattern can help build the local picture.
Wales-wide guidance for schools
ASH Wales resources sit alongside national guidance and curriculum material produced by Public Health Wales. These external resources are maintained by Public Health Wales.
Curriculum programme: tobacco, nicotine & vaping
Teacher guidance, knowledge banks and classroom activities for use with learners in Wales.
Guidance on vaping for secondary-aged learners
National guidance on responding to vaping, supporting learners, policy and curriculum learning.
Need something for your school or youth setting?
If you cannot find what you need in the library, get in touch with ASH Wales. We can point you towards the most relevant material and use feedback from schools and youth workers to improve future resources.