Vaping: risks, guidance and how to quit

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About vapes

Vapes are battery powered devices that heat up ​a liquid to create a vapour that users inhale through a mouthpiece.

The vapour usually contains:

• nicotine
• flavouring​
• other chemicals

In Jersey, it’s illegal to sell or supply nicotine vapes or nicotine vaping products to someone aged under 18. This includes:

• retailers
• family members
• friends

If you see anybody selling nicotine inhaling products to someone under 18, you can report them by email at tradingstandards@gov.je.

Protection of Children (Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Jersey) Regulations 2016​

Health risks

Vaping is less harmful to your health than smoking, but is not completely safe.

We’re still understanding the long-term health effects and risks of vaping. Research is being continually reviewed to make sure we protect Islanders’ health and wellbeing.

Avoid purchasing or accepting vapes and vaping products that do not provide a manufacturer’s safety standard mark. You should make sure you get vapes from a reputable source, ​as some may contain harmful substances that you may not be aware of.

Vapes can be addictive because they generally contain nicotine.

You can also get side effects from vapes, even though they don't contain most of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. 

You can:

• become addicted to the nicotine and find it difficult to stop
• experience changes in mood and behaviour, due to the nicotine interfering with the chemicals in your brain
• experience short-term physic​al effects, such as coughing, headache, dizziness and a sore throat

There’s currently no evidence that second-hand vape aerosol is harmful to others around you. However, you should not vape around babies, children or ​people with health conditions, for example asthma.

How to quit vapin​g

You may want to quit vaping straight away, however, we recommend you take a more gradual approach.

Here are some initial steps you can take:

• try to understand and make a note of why you vape
• think about your triggers and write those down
• set a quit date which you’re confident you can achieve
• reducing the nicotine strength every 2 to 4 weeks, for example from 20mg to 18mg, 18mg to 12mg, until you reach 0mg
• delay the time until you have your first vape of the day and build on this
• allow more time between each inhale, for example from 20 to 40 minutes
• take shorter inhales
• set rules for yourself, for example when or where to vape
• don’t keep your vape on you, so you have to go and get your vape to use it

The first couple of weeks are usually the hardest.

If you feel an urge to vape, try to distract yourself, read the notes you wrote on your triggers and reasons to stop, to avoid vaping again.

Other tips for quitting, include:

• imagine yourself as someone who doesn’t vape
• step out and change your environment
• get some exercise
• play a game
• using deep breathing or other relaxation techniques
• sip water, use mints or try non-sugary chewing gum
• get a good support network of people such as family, friends, school staff or health professionals
• support others who are quitting vaping
• aim to be a role model for the people around you

If you don’t succeed at first, you can always start over with a new plan.

Vaping to help you quit smoking​

So far, it is believed that vaping is much safer than smoking and can be an effective way to help you to quit. However, vapes should only be used temporarily until you’re confident you won't start smoking again.​

You’re 3 times more likely to quit smoking when you have support. If you need help to stop smoking, contact our Help2Quit Stop Smoking Service​.​

Young people and vaping

Most younger children don’t vape. However, the number of users increases with age.

Children may want to vape because of:

• bright designs and packaging
• sweet and fruit flavourings
• peer pressure and wanting to belong and fit in
• vapes being ​more accessible and don’t smell like cigarettes

Conversations with your child regarding vaping can be difficult, but here are some general tips on how to approach the topic:

• talk about vaping at a time you feel is right, for example when you see someone vaping or when ​you're passing a vape shop
• use a gentle, non-judgemental tone so your child knows that they can talk to you freely
• show interest and actively listen to them and their points of view, whilst still being clear about how you feel about them vaping
• offer reassurance and alleviate their worries and concerns

Jersey secondary schools are taking steps to prevent vaping in and around school premises. They are also making sure that students, pa​rents and carers are well-informed and supported.​

If you would like to speak with a youth worker for support, you can:

• pop into the YES proj​ect
  
• speak with the youth worker in your local youth project​

​We’re carrying out further research and surveys to understand vape usage in younger people. You can find details of the latest results in the Children and Young People’s Survey and Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (JOLS)​.

Recycling vapes​

Vapes are powered by lithium batteries. You should always recycle them at:

• the mini battery recycling banks
• the Household Reuse and Recycling Centre at La Collette

Make sure you empty your vape before recycling it.

Recycling vapes​

Ban on single use vapes

By mid-2025, it’ll be illegal to import or supply single use vapes in Jersey.

You won’t be able to:

• sell, lend, exchange and gift single use vapes
  
• order single use vapes from an off-Island trader and import it by post
  

Single use vapes are being banned because they damage the environment.

The ban will also help to reduce the uptake of vaping by children and young people, as single use vapes are their product of choice.​​

Find more information on ​the single use vapes ban and restrictions​.​