New research published in BMJ Open shows that primary school-aged children in Wales are more likely to have used e-cigarettes than tobacco, and more school pupils report having ever used e-cigarettes than tobacco at all ages until age 14-15.
Six percent of 10-11 year olds and 12% of 11-16 year olds have used an e-cigarette at least once.
It is only among 15-16 year-old pupils where the percentage having ever smoked overtakes the percentage of those who have ever used an e-cigarette.
The research, which was carried out by Cardiff University on behalf of the Welsh Government, used data from two national surveys undertaken in 2013-14 among primary and secondary school pupils.
The key findings are:
- Primary school children were more likely to have used e-cigarettes (6%) than tobacco (2%);
- More pupils reported having ever used e-cigarettes than tobacco across all age groups until age 14-15;
- Overall, 12% of secondary school students reported ever using e-cigarettes, with no differences according to gender, ethnicity or social background;
- The percentage of 'never smokers' reporting having used an e-cigarette was 5% at age 10-11 and 8% at age 15-16.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruth Hussey said:
“It's vital that we help young people in Wales lead long and healthy lives and protect them from the harm caused by tobacco. I am concerned that e-cigarettes could normalise smoking amongst a generation which has grown up in a largely smoke-free society.
“This research demonstrates that e-cigarettes are being used by young people who have never smoked. We should be doing everything we can to prevent a new generation becoming addicted to nicotine, because it is a highly addictive substance and has been shown to impact on brain development.
“The Public Health White Paper set out proposals to restrict the use of e-cigarettes in public places in line with restrictions on conventional cigarettes, as a way of protecting people's health.”
