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<p>Vaping is never recommended for children and carries the risk of future harm and
addiction. The active ingredient in most vapes, apart from nicotine-free vapes, is
nicotine which, when inhaled, is a highly addictive drug. Evidence suggests that the
brain in adolescence is more sensitive to the effects of nicotine, so there could
be additional risks for young people. The long-term health harms of colours and flavours
when inhaled are unknown, but they are certainly very unlikely to be beneficial.</p><p>The
Department does not hold data on the prevalence of the use of disposable vapes by
people under the age of 18 years old. However, Action on Smoking and Health’s survey,
Use of e-cigarettes among young people in Great Britain, found that 69% of vape users
aged 11 to 17 years old mainly used disposable vapes in 2023, rising from 7.7% in
2021. Northern Ireland’s Young person’s behaviour and attitude survey 2022, shows
that 85.7% of 11 to 16 year olds in Northern Ireland who currently use vapes, reported
that they used disposables. Both surveys are available respectively at the following
links:</p><p><a href="https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-great-britain"
target="_blank">https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-great-britain</a></p><p><a
href="https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/young-persons-behaviour-and-attitudes-survey-2022-substance-use-data-tables"
target="_blank">https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/young-persons-behaviour-and-attitudes-survey-2022-substance-use-data-tables</a></p>
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