This page provides evidence-based information for adults who smoke, people considering vaping to help them stop smoking, parents and carers, young people, and health and social care professionals.

Vaping is the use of an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vape to inhale nicotine in a vapour instead of tobacco smoke. While vaping is less harmful than smoking, it is not risk-free. Most vapes contain nicotine, which is addictive.

Vaping can help some people quit smoking, but many young people who vape were not previously smokers. Young people who vape are more likely to start smoking than those who never vape.

The health advice is clear: young people and people who have never smoked should not vape.

Key messages:

• Vaping is not for children or young people.
• Vaping is not for non-smokers.
• Vaping is not harmless.
• The best thing you can do for your health is be smoke free and vape free.
• Vaping can help some people quit smoking.
• Vaping illicit substances such as ‘Spice’ or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) carries unknown risks. For information go to Vaping illicit substances, eg. Spice | Drugs and Alcohol (drugsandalcoholni.info)

If you smoke, switching completely from smoking to vaping is less harmful than continuing to smoke. Vaping can help some adults stop smoking, especially when combined with support from a stop smoking service.

The PHA works with partners across Northern Ireland to reduce the harms associated with smoking and vaping by:

• providing evidence-based information and advice
• supporting stop smoking services and behaviour change campaigns
• developing resources for parents, schools, communities and healthcare professionals
• helping prevent children and young people from taking up vaping and smoking

The Public Health Agency has published new research - the Behavioural insights into youth vaping in Northern Ireland’ report which provides detailed information on the use of e-cigarettes and perceptions of vaping among young people, as well as insights into tobacco use, and will help inform the future design of targeted interventions and communications on vape use by young people. 

The UK-wide Tobacco and Vapes Act (2026) which extends to Northern Ireland introduces measures to protect children and young people from the harms of tobacco and nicotine addiction.

The proposed measures include:

• restrictions on the sale of vaping and nicotine products to under 18s from 29th October 2026 and 
• plans to create a smoke‑free generation by making it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009
• ntroducing further restrictions on the marketing and advertising of vaping products.

These measures aim to protect children and young people and help create a smoke-free generation and reduce youth vaping.

Further information on this legislation: Tobacco and Vapes Act documents | Department of Health