GPs in Mid and North Powys are encouraging young people not to take up vaping. 

Gareth Ratcliffe, PAVO Health Promotions Facilitator, said, “It can be seen as cool to vape, but vapes can still damage your health. Young people’s bodies are still developing and are more at risk when taking in nicotine.

"Vaping products which contain nicotine are age-restricted. It is illegal to sell to under 18s.

"People using vapes have reported short-term effects, such as coughing, dizziness, sore throat and headache, but the long-term effects are not yet known.

"The message to children and young people is clear: Don't Smoke? Don’t start vaping.”

Recent figures from the School Health Research Network (SHRN) suggest the number of Powys children and young people (aged 11-16) who smoke has declined from 4.4 % in 2019 to 3.5% in 2021.

In the UK, the proportion of 11–17-year-olds that are currently vaping has increased from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022.

SHRN data shows that 19.6% of young people (aged 11-16) have tried vaping in Powys, slightly lower than the Welsh average of 20.4%.

A spokesperson for PAVO said: "Although vapes have been around for over 15 years, we simply do not have enough evidence about the long-term effects of vaping.

"Developing brains should not be exposed to nicotine. There is a risk of addiction and dependence and potentially a gateway towards tobacco use.

"There are many misconceptions about the use of vapes, especially among children and young people."