'If you're around people who vape, you're going to try it. because you are curious and want to see what it's like.’
Jess is nearly 17 and has just started a vocational course at a further education college. She started vaping when she was at school. ‘Originally it was Year 10s who were vaping in the girls’ toilets at break time; by the time I left it was Years 7 and 8,’ she says.
Jess has the occasional roll-up but prefers vaping, although she says she doesn’t vape every day. ‘Most of us see the images on social media and want to give it a go, so we share a vape with a friend. Like cigarettes, it does help with stress. I vaped before all my GCSEs.’
Manufacturers are targeting children using the same techniques that worked with alcopops. These sugary, carbonated drinks look attractive and fun but can have an alcohol content as high as 14% ABV. They are attractive to children because they are brightly coloured, look innocuous and have even featured Marvel Comics characters on some of their brands. Similarly, vapes are on show in many local shops and have attractive packaging and innocent-sounding names such as Sherbet Rainbow, Blue Razz Lemonade and Berry Nice. At £2.99 online for two pods, they are cheap enough for a pocket-money purchase.
Vaping is dangerous