Written question WQ88462

Supporting children and young people to have a smoke-free childhood is a key part of our tobacco control strategy: A Smoke-free Wales. E-cigarettes and vapes should never be used by under-18s or non-smokers. It is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s and I am extremely concerned by reports of increasing numbers of young people using these products.

As many of the legislative levers to address this issue are with the UK Government, the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing wrote to the Minister for Primary Care and Public Health in the UK Government recently to make clear her support for much stronger evidence-based restrictions being introduced to prevent vape products being marketed and promoted to children, including restrictions on the bright and colourful designs and flavourings that make these products attractive to young people. We await the outcome of the UK Government review but like the Deputy Minister, I too would like to see much stronger restrictions being in place to protect children and young people from addictive, harmful vape products.

In my recent meetings with school leaders, I have heard of the challenges vape use is presenting in schools. Public Health Wales has been asked to develop guidance for schools (which can also be used in other educational settings) and how to support young people who may be addicted and wish to stop.

We want all children and young people to grow up healthy, safe and happy. The Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience is an innovative part of the new Curriculum for Wales which aims to ensure that learning and support around issues such as physical, mental and emotional health are provided to all young people in Wales.

It is the intention that the guidance is available as soon as possible to support schools to engage with learners on this important issue and will help learners understand the impact on their health and well-being within the curriculum.

Finally, within schools in Wales, the JustB Smokefree programme targets secondary school pupils in the areas with highest smoking prevalence. It equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to comfortably discuss the risks of smoking and vaping and the benefits of being smoke free among their peers, prior to the age of typical smoking initiation.