A recent study conducted by Kent County Council has shed light on the growing problem of nicotine addiction among young people in the county due to vaping. The survey, which included 5,493 pupils from 33 schools across Kent, found that approximately 10% (562) of the participants are current vapers.
The study’s findings, presented to the council’s Health Reform and Public Health cabinet committee on March 11, 2025, highlight the increasing concern about the health impacts of vaping on young, developing bodies.
According to Jason Hickson from KCC’s Kent Analytics team, the study aimed to gather data from a large, diverse sample of students across the county and from all age groups. He noted that vaping was perceived as a socially acceptable activity, unlike smoking.
The survey revealed that one-third of regular vapers felt the need to vape every hour, suggesting a high level of addiction. Furthermore, 27% of vapers either believe they are addicted or know they are addicted.
Corner shops (49%) and vaping outlets (36%) were the primary sources for obtaining vaping products, with fruit flavors being the most popular among respondents (over 75%). TikTok was cited by 52% of the sample as the social media platform promoting vaping products.
When asked about their reasons for vaping, 45% of respondents said it helps them “chill out and relax,” while 39% claimed it reduces their anxiety. Alarmingly, over half of the current vapers expressed no desire to quit.
Public health officials acknowledge that while vaping can help smokers quit tobacco, the products still contain nicotine, which is considered addictive. Short-term side effects of vaping include coughing, dizziness, sore throats, and headaches. However, there is significant concern about the impact of nicotine on young people whose bodies are still developing.
The study’s findings have prompted a ban on the sale of one-use disposable vapes, set to take effect in June 2025. A follow-up survey will be conducted in 2026 to compare the statistics after the ban’s implementation.
Dr. Julian Spinks, a Rochester GP, emphasized that much remains unknown about the long-term effects of vape ingredients, such as moisture and glycerol, on young people. He noted that some vapes contain higher nicotine levels than cigarettes and expressed concern about the potential for nicotine addiction and greater side effects in young, growing bodies.
Committee members echoed these concerns, with Cllr Tony Hills stating, “We don’t know how dangerous they are. I think we need to flag up concerns about vapes. They could be harmless, but they could also contain chemicals we don’t understand or know about.”
Dr. Anjan Ghosh, KCC Director of Public Health, highlighted the emerging issue of nicotine pouches, which are placed under the upper lip, as the next frontier in the battle against nicotine addiction. He remarked, “We semi-won the battle against smoking, and then you have vaping coming in as the next frontier, and then there is yet another frontier coming in in the form of nicotine pouches.”