Children and Young People; Smoking and Vaping

Smoking
Vaping
Healthy Lives
Children and Young People
Respiratory Conditions
Tobacco
Behavioural Risk Factors

introduction Introduction

Tobacco smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death. It is not a lifestyle choice, as around two thirds of people starting smoking before the age of 18 become addicted before reaching adulthood1. Preventing tobacco smoking initiation is critical, as two-thirds of 11–15-year-olds who regularly smoke would find it very or fairly difficult to stop2. Effective tobacco control policies, including enforcement against underage sales, reducing availability of illegal tobacco, and the promotion of smokefree environments, are essential to reducing youth access and de-normalising tobacco smoking.

While youth tobacco smoking has declined due to strong tobacco control measures, the number of children and young people trying or currently vaping has increased in recent years, but it does now appear to be plateauing3. In 2025, 42% of youth vapers reported using disposable vapes. In June 2025, a ban on disposable vapes was introduced, primarily on environmental grounds, but also to support the reduction in the availability and appeal of vapes to young people4. Ongoing monitoring is needed to assess the impact of this legislation on youth vaping rates.

Local data on other nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches are limited. Cannabis use is outside the scope of this summary.

why is it important to population health Why is it important to Population Health?

Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death, contributing significantly to health inequalities in Derby and Derbyshire5. Smoking prevalence is higher in deprived areas6 increasing the normalisation of smoking, and therefore risk of children and young people experiencing deprivation trying and becoming addicted cigarettes. Tobacco smoking leads to in excess of 10,000 hospital admissions and 4,000 premature deaths across Derby and Derbyshire annually7. There are substantial financial implications with an estimated at £29.3 million in healthcare costs and £253 million in social care8. The financial burden on individuals, averaging £2,338 per year, can exacerbate poverty, further deepening health disparities. Smoking during pregnancy is also more common locally than the national average, increasing risks for both mother and child9. Parental smoking increases the risk of children and young people taking up smoking10 increasing the risk of generational smoking underpinned by social norms11.

Vaping is never recommended for children and young people due to the risk of future harm and addiction. The guidance is clear, if you don’t smoke, don’t vape; marketing vapes to children is utterly unacceptable12. Children can become addicted to the nicotine in nicotine containing vapes. Withdrawal from nicotine can cause irritability, cravings, trouble concentrating and other physical and mental symptoms13. A 10-year study is underway to understand the long-term impacts of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing14.

Awareness and use of nicotine pouches are rising among under-18s15, though these products are currently unregulated in terms of age of sale and nicotine content. While potentially less harmful than smoking, they are not risk-free, and further independent research is needed to understand their long-term impact16. Proposed legislation in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to address these regulatory gaps17.

the derbyshire population approach The Derbyshire Population Health Approach

The Derbyshire Population Health Approach focuses on prevention, population health, evidence-informed practices, causes, and collaboration. It emphasises proactive measures to prevent health issues, tailors interventions to specific populations, incorporates evidence-informed practices, addresses underlying causes, and promotes collaboration for effective action.

When considering the topic of Smoking and Vaping within The Derbyshire Population Health Approach:

• Prevention Prevention

Preventing the uptake of smoking and vaping among children and young people is a public health priority in Derby and Derbyshire. Educational initiatives, such as school-based programmes led by adults and peers, are supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence18.

Efforts to de-normalise tobacco and vape use include targeted communications, smokefree environments, and proposals such as the Derby and Derbyshire Smokefree Pledge.

Enforcement of underage sales and illegal products is essential, with Trading Standards playing a key role. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill proposes stronger regulation and enforcement powers to reduce youth access and exposure19.

• Population Population

The number of children in England who currently smoke has significantly declined over the past few decades, dropping from 19% in 1982 to 3% in 202320. However, recent data from Great Britain suggests an increase in the number of children who have ever tried smoking, rising to 21% in 202521. Despite this, only 13% of young smokers expressed a desire to quit in 202322. Local insight is required to understand how to engage and enable children and young people to access stop smoking support as the numbers accessing support are low.

Vaping among young people has plateaued nationally, with 9% identifying as current users23. In 2024, Derbyshire vaping rates rise with age, with 41% of Year 10 pupils reporting have tried/used in the past or use them now24.

Derbyshire data in 2024 reveals disparities in smoking and vaping behaviours across different population groups. Pupils in year 10 identifying as SEND, or having a disability or long-term illness, ethnic minority are statistically more likely to smoke or vape. Those from single-parent families, young carers, female and deprived areas statistically more likely in vape. LGBTQ+ statistically more likely to smoke25. These trends underscore the importance of targeted interventions and inclusive support strategies to address inequalities and reduce tobacco and vape use among vulnerable groups.

Additional risks include exposure to second-hand smoke, which remains prevalent despite legislation banning smoking in vehicles with children present26. Children exposed to second-hand smoke face increased risks of respiratory illnesses, cancer, and other serious health conditions27.

• Evidence Evidence

Effective tobacco control measures are essential to reducing smoking uptake among young people. The World Health Organization’s MPOWER framework outlines six key strategies: monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from smoke, offering cessation support, warning about tobacco dangers, enforcing advertising bans, and raising taxes28. The UK has made significant progress through policies such as age restrictions, public smoking bans, and tobacco display regulations. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill introduced in 2024 proposing further controls on the sale, advertising, and visibility of tobacco and vaping products, including a phased ban on tobacco sales to individuals born after 1 January 200929.

Enforcement is critical to the success of these measures. Local Trading Standards teams in Derby and Derbyshire work with police and licensing authorities to tackle underage and illegal sales, relying on public and professional reporting. While stop smoking services are available locally for young people aged 12 and over, there are currently no vaping cessation services in place. Emerging evidence on vaping cessation is being reviewed, and pilot programmes in other regions may inform future service development in Derby and Derbyshire.

• Causes Causes

The causes of smoking among children and young people are complex and influenced by environmental, social, and behavioural factors. Exposure to parents, siblings, or peers who smoke significantly increases the likelihood of smoking uptake, particularly in areas of higher deprivation where smoking is more normalised30. Early initiation is especially concerning, as over two-thirds of those who try smoking go on to become regular smokers31, increasing their risk of long-term health issues and early death. Reducing parental and community smoking is key to limiting access and role modelling and ultimately preventing youth smoking.

The availability of illegal tobacco and vapes, marketing of vapes, often brightly packaged and flavoured to appeal to youth, further contribute to uptake. Enforcement of underage sales laws and regulation of vape promotion are essential components of effective tobacco control, supported by proposed measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

• Collaboration Collaboration

Effective tobacco control relies on collaboration across Derby and Derbyshire. The Derby and Derbyshire Tobacco Control Strategic Board and operational groups consist of a range of partners from across the system. The focus on prevention, environment and enforcement, smoking in pregnancy, and smoking cessation. Smokefree Derby and Derbyshire is a joint initiative between Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils, building on the work of local stop smoking services, Livewell and Live Life Better Derbyshire, to support coordinated action and improve Health outcomes for Derby and Derbyshire.

latest derbyshire data Latest Derbyshire Data

Trend Data

Prevalence Maps of Derbyshire

The maps below illustrate various geographies for Derbyshire. LSOAs and MSOAs are geographical divisions used for statistical purposes, allowing for more detailed analysis of local data. In these maps, you can explore various health indicators and data for Derbyshire, providing valuable insights into the area’s health and wellbeing.

Wards Data Not Available

Data for this geography is not yet available. Please check back later.

Districts Data Not Available

Data for this geography is not yet available. Please check back later.

In the top right of the map, you’ll find the ‘Layer Control’ icon. This is an easy way to customise what you see on the map visualisation. Click the ‘Layer Control’ to choose which information is displayed on the map. Pick the indicator that interests you the most, and the map will transform accordingly.

Slope Index

This chart illustrates the differences in health and lifestyle factors across areas in Derbyshire, from the most deprived (decile 1, red) to the least deprived (decile 10, green). As you move from left to right on the chart (from more deprived to less deprived areas), the line shows whether these factors are becoming more or less common. Essentially, it’s a way to see how living in wealthier or poorer areas affects the prevalence of these factors.

further analysis and assessments Further Analysis & Assessments

Derbyshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) involves a thorough examination of a specific health problem, exploring its causes, consequences, and underlying factors. It combines various data sources, collaboration with stakeholders, and rigorous analysis to generate insights for evidence-informed interventions and policy changes.

more information and resources More Information & Resources

Here is a list of useful resources and information to help prevent issues related to Children and Young People Vaping and Smoking. These materials are meant to provide individuals, healthcare professionals, and communities with the knowledge and tools they need as part of efforts to address smoking and vaping.

Contributors

Marie Hippey, Health Improvement Practitioner, Tobacco Control

Footnotes

  1. Public Health England Health Matters: Smoking and Quitting in England↩︎

  2. NHS England Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England↩︎

  3. ASH Use of vapes among young people in Great Britain↩︎

  4. ASH The 2025 Disposable Vapes Ban: What you need to know↩︎

  5. Derbyshire County Council Tobacco Control in Derbyshire: Health Needs Assessment↩︎

  6. Census 2021 Deprivation and the impact of smoking prevalence, England and Wales↩︎

  7. Impact of smoking on Core20PLUS5 Guide for NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB↩︎

  8. ASH Ready Reckoner: Cost of smoking to society↩︎

  9. NHS England Statistics on women’s smoking status at time of delivery, England↩︎

  10. BMJ Exposure to parental and sibling smoking and the risk of smoking uptake in childhood and adolescence: a systematic review and meta-analysis↩︎

  11. ASH Health Inequalities and Smoking↩︎

  12. Gov.uk Chief medical Officer for England on Vaping↩︎

  13. Gov.uk Stopping the Start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation↩︎

  14. Gov.uk 10-year study to shed light on youth vaping↩︎

  15. ASH ASH calls for swift legislation on nicotine pouches as new data shows surge in youth awareness↩︎

  16. ASH New Data on Vaping Uncovers a Public Health Disconnect↩︎

  17. Gov.uk Tobacco and Vapes Bill: creating a smoke-free UK and tackling youth vaping↩︎

  18. PubMed School-based programs to prevent adolescent e-cigarette use: A report card↩︎

  19. Gov.uk Tobacco and Vapes Bill: creating a smoke-free UK and tackling youth vaping↩︎

  20. NHS England Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England↩︎

  21. ASH Use of vapes among young people in Britain↩︎

  22. NHS England Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England↩︎

  23. NHS England Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England↩︎

  24. Derbyshire Youth Well-Being Survey My Life, My View↩︎

  25. NHS England Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England↩︎

  26. NHS England Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People in England↩︎

  27. ASH Secondhand Smoke↩︎

  28. World Health Organisation MPOWER↩︎

  29. Gov.uk Tobacco and Vapes Bill: creating a smoke-free UK and tackling youth vaping factsheet↩︎

  30. ASH Young People and Smoking↩︎

  31. ASH Secondhand Smoke↩︎

Last rendered: 2026-02-19 00:22:43
Last data fetch: 2026-02-17 22:33:16