Almost one-in-six year 11 students in Wales (15.9 per cent) are regularly using vapes, according to new data.  Over 45 per cent of students in year 11 say they have tried a vape. 

Meanwhile, just 5.5 per cent of students in year 11 now regularly smoke, down from 7.5 per cent in 2021. 

Less than three per cent (2.7) of students in years 7-11 smoke regularly.  The majority of these also vape.

This new data, from The School Health Research Network, is being published as the UK Government introduces a Tobacco and Vapes Bill that will pave the way for restrictions on the marketing and sale of tobacco, vapes and other products.

Public Health Wales welcomes the provisions of the new Bill.  These include banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009, more powers to bring vape packaging in line with tobacco products, and strengthening enforcement around vape sales.