11-Year-Old Girls Find E-Cigarettes 'Appealing' - Research

Young people find e-cigarettes highly appealing, according to independent research commissioned by Public Health Wales.

Girls as young as 11 and 12 have experience of using e-cigarettes and obtain them easily from friends, parents, shops and pizza places.

The research, undertaken by Social Change UK, questioned 11 and 12 year old girls living in North Wales about their attitudes towards people who smoke and awareness of the impact of smoking on health.

It found that that girls with low aspirations that didn't take part in sport or after school activities were more likely to smoke or use e-cigarettes.

It also found that shock tactics were an effective way of discouraging girls from taking up smoking but worked best when the girls could see themselves or a family member in a position of harm.

The study which looked at smoking rates of 11 and 12 year old girls in North Wales found that if parents smoke, children are more likely to start and that smoking prevalence among young girls appears highest in deprived communities.

Andrew Jones Executive Director of Public Health for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board said: "Two per cent of 11-12 year old girls smoke, with prevalence rising to five per cent in some communities.

"The study found that awareness and use of e-cigarettes was common place in some areas, most of the girls who took part in focus groups could name at least five different flavours of vapours which include strawberry milkshake, gummy bear and bubble gum. Some were not aware that e-cigarettes could have nicotine in them and most felt that e-cigarettes were ‘not as bad’ as cigarettes.

"Some were not aware that e-cigarettes could have nicotine in them and most felt that e-cigarettes were ‘not as bad’ as cigarettes.

"The girls questioned said they were not confident to ask an adult to stop smoking around them or to quit but were willing to challenge friends or boyfriends who smoked.

"Those questioned also thought that TV characters that smoke set a bad example."

The report recommends a review of education programmes in North Wales to ensure that children and young people are all being given the correct information regarding tobacco and e-cigarettes.

It also recommends introducing control measures around the sale of e-cigarettes to children both online and on the high street and strengthening activities to raise aspirations and build confidence in young girls.

(CVS/CD)