Bursting With Flavour - but what else?

11 April 2024

This week, Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council have jointly launched a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of the potential harms of vaping to young people in the county.

Recent figures from the School Health Research Network (SHRN) suggest that while the number of young people in Powys who smoke tobacco is continuing to decline, Vaping is on the increase. Across Wales 5% of young people are weekly users of vapes, with 1 in 5 young people in Powys admitting to having tried vaping.

The campaign was co-designed with students from Crickhowell High School, as well as members of Brecon and Llandrindod Wells Youth Club, and plays on the bright colours and fruit flavours used in the marketing of vape devices. The campaign hopes to adjust the perceptions around vaping being cool and being cleaner and safe raising awareness of the potential harms of vaping, and to encourage young people to reach out for support to quit vaping.

Mererid Bowley, Executive Director of Public Health, Powys Teaching Health Board said "It is illegal for those under 18 years to buy nicotine vapes or to have them bought for them.  Vaping is not without harm. We simply don't have enough evidence to know the long term impacts that vaping has on our health and wellbeing. Developing brains shouldn't be exposed to nicotine, which poses a risk of addiction. The simple message is, if you don't smoke, then you shouldn't start vaping. I would urge parents to share the campaign far and wide, and to discuss the risks of vaping with their children, to raise awareness of its potential harms, and support preventing a future public health crisis".

Matt Perry, Powys County Council's Chief Officer - Place, said "It is vital that the perception of vaping, not just across the county, but across the country, is changed, and it's fantastic that we are able to work in partnership with Powys Teaching Health Board to develop this campaign and help us raise awareness of the potential harms of vaping.

"Just because the device is brightly coloured and fruit flavoured, does not mean it comes without risks. It comes with a list of its very own side effects and health implications. This campaign is reflective of our strong partnership approach to protecting the health of our residents."

The campaign will be seen across Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council social media accounts and operational premises, secondary schools and bus stops in Powys. The materials will also be able to be downloaded online.

For more information on the campaign or for support quitting vaping visit: pthb.nhs.wales/staying-healthy/smoking/vaping/.