Vaping and the Law

What is vaping?

Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are devices that enable users to inhale nicotine in vapour, generated by heating a liquid (e-liquid), rather than smoke. In the UK it is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s; however, data shows that the number of children and young people using vapes is rising.

Listen as Esme, Young Person's Team Manager at Bromley Changes, explains what you need to know about vaping.

Quitting smoking using vapes

Vaping or e-cigarettes are promoted to adults who already smoke as a way to reduce or quit smoking. Using an e-cigarette can help you manage your nicotine cravings.

E-liquids come in different nicotine strengths, so you control how much nicotine you need to help with cravings and other withdrawal symptoms, such as feeling irritable and having low mood.

More information about quitting smoking using e-cigarettes can be found on the NHS website - Better Health.

Vaping use in young people

Young people should be discouraged from vaping, especially if they do not smoke cigarettes. There are concerns about nicotine addiction, the unknown health effects of vapes and illicit content.

Check out the “BSCP Lunchtime Learning: Vaping and its impact on young people” video from Bromley Safeguarding on Vimeo:

It is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s and it is also illegal for an adult to purchase them for someone who is under-18.

Bromley Council is working to deter young people from taking up vaping through the education of young people and their parents or carers, and by enforcing legislation around selling e-cigarettes.

If you suspect that someone is selling vapes to children (or adults are purchasing on their behalf), and/or that the vapes are illicit, please contact trading standards with as much detail as possible or call 0808 223 1133 (via Citizens Advice Consumer service).

Bromley Changes is Bromley's young people's service run by the organisation CGL (Change Grow Live). It works with children and young people aged 10 – 18 years who live, study or work in Bromley and their families – parents, carers, grandparents and siblings who may be affected.

It is a free and confidential service for young people.

To contact Bromley Changes, please visit the website or call the service on: 020 8289 1999 from 10am - 4pm on weekdays.

Outside of those hours, and at the weekend, you can call on: 07738 802 713.

You can also email referrals.bromley@cgl.org or you can contact CGL via their online referral form.

Childline also offers advice and information to help a young person decide what is best for them.

The government, in a press release, has set out its next steps to creating a 'smokefree' generation. Please click on this link to read.