Support for Parents and Carers
Information for parents and carers
Many parents and carers are concerned about the growing visbility of vapes.
This page addresses those concerns, while also covering smoking and other nicotine products that may affect children and young people.
The Rise of Vape Use Among Children - What You Need to Know.
Vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, e-liquids or puff bars, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid to create an aerosol that is inhaled.
Although often called “vapour,” this aerosol can contain harmful substances, including nicotine, flavourings that may damage the lungs, and other chemicals such as heavy metals and volatile organic compounds.
While vaping can help adult smokers to quit tobacco, it is not risk-free and is never recommended for children or non-smokers.
Nicotine can affect brain development and lead to addiction, particularly during adolescence when the brain is still developing.
Vaping Among Children and Teenagers
More young people are being exposed to vaping through social media, peer influence, and marketing that targets youth audiences.
Flavoured vapes and bright packaging make products appealing.
Many disposable vapes have been sold illegally and often contain higher nicotine levels than the legal limit.
Teenagers often report vaping out of curiosity, stress, or peer pressure.
Even occasional use can lead to nicotine dependence.
Because nicotine changes how the brain responds to reward and impulse control, early addiction can increase the risk of using tobacco or other substances later.
Smoking and young people
Smoking cigarettes remains a major health risk for children and young people.
Cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals, many of which are linked to cancer, lung disease, heart disease and stroke.
Smoking is harmful at any age and can affect lung development, fitness, and long-term health.
Young people who smoke are more likely to become lifelong smokers, increasing their risk of serious illness.
Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can make quitting very difficult.
Helping a young person avoid starting smoking, and supporting them if they already smoke, is one of the strongest ways to protect their health now and in the future.
Looking for support to stop smoking or vaping?
Whether you’re a parent, carer, or supporting someone else, our local stop smoking service offers expert advice and tailored support to help you quit.
Health Effects of Vaping on Young People
Children and teenagers are more vulnerable to the health impacts of vaping.
Nicotine exposure affects learning, attention and memory.
Respiratory irritation may cause coughing, sore throat, or shortness of breath.
Asthma symptoms may worsen in young people who vape.
There is no known safe level of nicotine use for children and adolescents.
Nicotine pouches: what parents and carers should know
Nicotine pouches can appear clean, discreet, and harmless, but they still contain nicotine and are not risk-free.
Even without smoke or vapour, they can affect children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
Brain development
Nicotine can interfere with the developing brain, affecting mood, learning, attention, and impulse control.
Addiction
Nicotine pouches are highly addictive and can make it harder for young people to avoid or stop using nicotine later on.
Oral Health
Use can irritate the gums and mouth, leading to soreness and potential long-term oral health issues.
Avoiding nicotine altogether is one of the most effective ways to protect children and young people from dependence and related health harms.
While nicotine pouches may seem small or low-risk, they can still lead to significant problems.
Helping Your Child Access Support
If your child wants to cut down or quit vaping, or if they’re open to talking about it, we can help you find the right support together. You can:
Contact Us
Get in touch for advice or to talk through the options first — we’ll help you decide what feels right.
Use Our Online Form
Use this to to connect your child with a Smokefree Hampshire Quit Coach (with their agreement).
How to Support Your Child
If you’re worried your child is vaping or thinking about trying it, try to stay calm and begin a supportive conversation. Young people are far more likely to open up when they feel listened to, not judged.
Talk and Listen
Ask what they know about vaping and where they’ve seen it. Keep the discussion short and non-judgemental.
Stay Curious, Not Critical
Young people respond better to open, two-way conversations.
Model Healthy Behaviour
Being smoke- and vape-free yourself sends a powerful message. We can help you to quit with our free, friendly stop smoking service. Find out more by clicking here.
Offer reassurance and support.
Let them know that help is available if they want to stop using nicotine.
Guidance on having a conversation
Step 1: Focus on the Needs and Priorities of the Young Person
It’s important to centre the young person’s needs and the support that you can offer.
Give them space to express themselves and feel empowered to make their own positive choices.
Let them have a voice — it is their choice to smoke, and their choice to stop.
Use open questions to help them reflect:
- “Do you know why you smoke?”
- “What is it that you like about smoking?”
- “Is there anything that worries you about smoking?”
Encourage deeper thinking with thought‑provoking questions:
- “What else could you use the money that you spend on cigarettes for?”
- “What do you think the effect on your appearance would be if you stop smoking?”
- “What do your friends who don’t smoke think about your smoking, and what do you think they’d feel about you stopping?”
- “How do you think that giving up smoking will affect your popularity?”
- “Do you think you will want to stop smoking at some point and, if so, when might this be?”
- “How easy or difficult do you think it will be to stop smoking, and what would make it easier for you?
Step 2: If the Young Person is interested in Stopping
Respond positively: “I’m pleased to hear that. Now that you’ve made the decision to quit, let’s look at what can be done to make it happen.”
Step 3: If the Young Person Is Not Interested in Stopping
Stay supportive and keep the door open:
“I’m concerned about what smoking is doing to you now, and what it might do to you in the future. So I want to reassure you that my offer of help to quit still stands, and I will check in with you about this again.”
“I respect that the choice is yours. If you have second thoughts or just want to talk more about your choices, then come and see me.”
If you smoke or vape and need help to quit, too.
If you smoke or vape yourself and want to make a change, Smokefree Hampshire can support you too.
Quitting together as a family can make a real difference to young people.
What we offer:
- Free, 1-to-1 support
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for adult smokers
- Behavioural support to help you understand triggers, build confidence, and stay motivated
- Flexible online or phone appointments to fit around busy family life
Vaping: a stop smoking tool for aduits
Our support is based on national guidance, including advice from the Chief Medical Officer:
If you smoke, switching completely to vaping is much safer than continuing to smoke.
If you don’t smoke, you should not start vaping.
Vapes are not harmless, but they are significantly less harmful than tobacco and can be a useful tool for adult smokers trying to quit.
We’ll always help you choose the safest, most effective option for you.
The Law & How to Report Concerns
The Law on Vaping
- It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy or use a vape containing nicotine.
- It is illegal for a shop to sell a vape to someone under 18.
- It is illegal for an adult to buy a vape for someone under 18 (called a "proxy purchase").
These laws exist to help protect young people from addiction and harmful substances.
Reporting Concerns
If you are concerned about underage or illicit sales, you can report it in several ways:
- Raise a concern with the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) on their website.
- Report to Hampshire local trading standards team by calling 0300 999 6999 or email [email protected].
Why Reporting Matters
By reporting illegal sales or unsafe products, parents and carers can help:
- Protect young people from addiction and harm
- Stop shops breaking the law
- Reduce access to dangerous and unregulated products
- Keep communities safer