Smoking and vaping

Smoking seriously harms your health - even in small amounts.

Smoking can give you:

Wrinkles, grey skin, stained hands and teeth
High risk of cancer
Increased risk of heart disease and lung conditions
More stress

Real life stories

Talk to Frank (https://www.talktofrank.com/) is a website with all the information you need about smoking and tobacco use. There are stories from young people and resources to help you access support to quit smoking and manage peer pressure.

Want to quit?

Get all the facts on why smoking is so bad for you and top tips on quitting for good at Brook.

If you decide to try stopping smoking or vaping, here are some tips to help you.

Contact your local stop smoking service, which provides the best chance of stopping completely and forever.
Find a friend to quit at the same time as you, so you can support each other through the process.
Get ready for a few difficult days; most people find that the first few days after quitting are the hardest, however most of your withdrawal symptoms should subside after the first four weeks.
Whatever your age, don’t be afraid to ask your GP for help stopping smoking. They won’t be shocked that you’re a smoker and will be there to help.

See this helpful NHS guide, which explains the options available for stopping smoking and the likelihood of success from each option.
See a stop smoking expert. It’s free and will increase your chances of quitting for good. You can talk about which stop smoking aids will work best for you, and they can provide additional support such as advice on managing cravings. They can also talk to you about the stop smoking medicines that are available on prescription.

Remember, if you’re not as successful as you want to be, you’ll still have learnt something to help you next time. The more comfortable you are using the support available, the better prepared you’ll be for stopping completely next time.’

Know the facts – vaping info for young people

Safer does not mean safe!

Vaping still contains chemicals that you inhale that cause cancer. These chemicals can stop your lungs growing and developing. Not all young people are vaping you don’t have to try it.

Vapour

The chemicals and particles found in the vapour from e-cigarettes cause your airways to become inflamed. The design, colours and flavours of vapes are being made to target young people to use them. Saying no to vaping and be a role model.

Bad breath

Vaping caused less saliva and a dry mouth this can lead to more bacteria in the mouth causing tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease. Know the fats and make smarter choices.

Illegal vapes

Vapes in the UK are regulated and contain a maximum of 2 % nicotine 20mg/ml there are lots of illegal vapes available that contain more nicotine and other chemicals it is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18 years old. Say no to vaping for mor information scan the QR code

What is vaping?

Vaping is increasing in popularity with young people, but it is not risk free, with flavours such as Bubble gum and watermelon, it can seem harmless, but vaping can cause serious health problems especially for young people.

Marketing and targeting young people.

The liquid or “juice” usually contains nicotine vaping is not risk free.

Fun designs colours and flavourings are used to attract and target young people.

Water Vapour

Many people believe vaping is harmless because it's just water vapour, and while E cigarettes don't contain tobacco the vapour isn't just water it is an aerosol that contains various harmful chemicals even if E cigarettes are, considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes it doesn't make them safe especially for young people, who have never smoked.

Nicotine

Your brain continues to develop until around 25 years of age nicotine exposure during this time of development can disrupt the formation of brain circuits that control attention, learning. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and exposure in young people can lead to long term dependence.

E-Cigarette or Vaping Use – Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)

Lung health cases of E cigarette or vaping use associated lung injury have been reported with symptoms ranging from shortness of breath to fever cough and chest pain, including permanent lung damage and death.

Exposure to harmful substances vape liquid contains harmful chemicals that are toxic when inhaled these substances can cause cancer.

Cost

The cost of regular buying cartridges or new models of vape are expensive overtime the disposal of cartridges batteries and devices contribute to environmental waste especially with the rise of disposable vapes.

British money

Environmental impact

Disposable vapes lead to enviromental harm. Nearly 5 million single use vapes are thrown away everyweek many ending up in land fill
Single use vapes should not be thrown away in householdwaste, they should be taken to a recycling centre due tothe lithium content of the battery.

Legal implications

it is illegal to sell vapes to anyone under the age of 18 years old, UK regulations State that the legal level of nicotine in a vape should be no more than 2% which is 20mg/ml therefore in a 2ml vape.

There are many illegal vapes in circulation in the UK, which means that the level of Nicotine are often higher and the list of harmful chemicals are unknown and unregulated.