Young people in Jersey are finding it far too easy to get hold of vapes, and are being enticed by the array of flavours available – but most islanders say it’s time for tougher rules to bring about the end of ‘Gen-V’.

New research has suggested eight in 10 islanders would support tighter advertising and display controls, while even more think that schools need to step up to clamp down on vaping.

Strong backing for tougher rules

Over 1,300 islanders took part in a study by Island Global Research earlier this year, and support for new restrictions was consistently high.

  • 90% said schools should have more support to prevent vaping on school grounds.
  • Around 85% of respondents said they would support more public health campaigns about smoking and vaping targeted at young people.
  • 65% said they would support a future ban on vaping for those born in 2009 or later, unless prescribed to help quit smoking.

Kids buying vapes online

Respondents repeatedly said that they were alarmed by how easily children could access vapes – sometimes ordering them online with little to no age verification.

Pictured: Over 90% of respondents said they would back the introduction of support for schools to prevent people from vaping on school grounds.

The report said: “Many are concerned about young people vaping, especially in schools, and would support more action to prevent young people from accessing vapes.

“Some highlighted concerns of easy access to vapes for children, including children purchasing vapes online and a lack of ID checks.”

Several respondents mentioned sweet or fruity flavours and colourful packaging as factors that make vaping more appealing to teenagers, with 65% of respondents supporting a ban on flavours.

Among the most popular policy ideas were plain packaging (68% in favour), display restrictions, tighter age verification, and even a ban on flavoured vapes, which two-thirds of respondents supported.

Education as well as enforcement

Education was also a recurring theme, with respondents urging government and schools to strengthen messaging about addiction and health risks.

I think cancer patients should visit schools and talk to pupils about the realities of smoking: what it costs in terms of money, health, dignity and the environment

survey respondent

One respondent said: “My father died of lung cancer caused by his smoking habit. I fully support anything that prevents people from taking up smoking.

“Having seen his painful treatment and death, I think cancer patients should visit schools and talk to pupils about the realities of smoking: what it costs in terms of money, health, dignity and the environment.”

Gov ‘working on it’

Martin Knight, the island’s head of health improvement, said that the responses aligned with what his team were already seeing and seeking to act on.

Public Health’s 2024 Parents and Carers Vaping Survey showed “strong support” for preventing the use of vapes in children and young people.

Mr Knight added that Public Health is also working on proposals to tax vapes and new regulations for reusable devices and nicotine products.

There has also been a youth-focused campaign to help young people quit vaping and prevent uptake, and resources have been given to PSHE teachers in schools.

The second phase of the campaign, which will involve an online quit tool, will follow “later this year”, he said.

Our work will continue to focus on reducing the uptake of vaping amongst young people, balanced with the need for vapes to remain appealing to adults who want to stop smoking

Martin Knight, head of health improvement at Public Health jersey

But he cautioned against losing sight of the bigger picture, noting that smoking tobacco is “far more” harmful than vaping.

“Therefore, our work will continue to focus on reducing the uptake of vaping amongst young people, balanced with the need for vapes to remain appealing to adults who want to stop smoking,” he added.

What’s changing next?

Plans to introduce a vaping tax were outlined in the government’s proposed Budget, which was published last month.

If approved, it would see a new vaping tax introduced at £2 per 10ml of vape liquid. This follows the UK, which is introducing a vape tax on 1 October 2026 at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of liquid.

And single-use vapes are due to disappear from Jersey’s shelves in February next year after Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan signed an order which made it illegal to import and supply one-time electronic cigarettes in Jersey from Friday 1 August.

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