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The newest NHS Smoking, Drinking and Drug use amongst young people in England has been published, highlighting growing trends from secondary school students in England.
The NHS Smoking, Drinking, and Drug use survey amongst young people in England is monumental in highlighting the changing trends amongst secondary school students from ages 11 to 15.
It covers assorted topics such as: habits, attitudes, and general wellbeing, while keeping young peoples’ identities anonymous.
This helps the NHS, policymakers, and youth workers to gather information on what young people in England are experiencing and strategize on how to tackle key public health concerns.
Most data from the survey are compared to its 2016, 2018, and 2021 predecessors
To keep up with the growing age of technology and AI, rather than a paper-based system, the survey was conducted online for the first time in 2023 – how advance!
Let’s look at some key findings!
Is vaping really on the way out?
Vaping, infamous for its fun colors and flavors like Blue Razz lemonade and Kiwi blast.
The tobacco industry has tactically marketed vapes to capitalize on young people, with many in the healthcare industry comparing the marketization to sweets and candy.
Vaping is the new smoking amongst young people and is becoming an epidemic in England. Vapes were designed to help avid smokers quit but are increasingly being used by young people who have never smoked before.
Despite the newest NHS Smoking, Drinking, and Drug use amongst young people in England survey suggesting that figures have stayed consistent since 2021, with youth e-cigarette use remaining at 9%, a whopping quarter of young people have admitted to vaping at some stage.
Many young people have admitted that vaping in school toilets is becoming a pressing issue, one that schools may not be equipped to tackle.
I, Tanisha Zaman, have explored this issue as a youth worker running the Partnership for Young London Stop Smoking and Vaping board, partnered with the NHS and London Tobacco Alliance.
Recently I was featured on Times Radio to discuss my research on the growing problem, where I quoted one young person:
‘One of the toilets only has cubicles, it is like a random lucky draw if you breathe in there, I’m asthmatic as well.’
What are policymakers doing to resolve this growing epidemic?
Well, since the publication of the most recent NHS Smoking, Drinking, and Drug use amongst young people in England survey, the current Labour has said a ban on disposable vapes will come into effect in June 2025.
This will both help to tackle youth vaping and climate damage. However, some worry this will create a black market for vapes and endanger young people.
Let us see how Labour will address the new problems which arise from their solutions.
