A GROWING number of Islanders are calling for tougher action to curb smoking and vaping in Jersey – with many supporting bans in public spaces, stricter controls on sales to young people, and even a complete phase-out of disposable vapes.
New research on smoking and vaping habits and attitudes in Jersey found concern over the health, environmental, and social effects of both cigarettes and e-cigarettes is widespread, particularly among older Islanders.
Conducted by Island Global Research, the study found strong support for policy intervention.
Health concerns top the list
The report showed that concern about the impact of smoking remains high, especially among Islanders aged 65 and over.
Nearly six in ten older respondents (58%) said they were “very concerned” about the health effects of cigarettes on smokers themselves, compared to 44% of those aged 40–64 and 40% of 18–39-year-olds.
When asked about the impact of smoking on others, concern was even higher: 65% of over-65s and more than half of middle-aged Islanders said they were “very concerned” about second-hand smoke.
The financial burden on the healthcare system was also a key worry. Two-thirds (68%) of older respondents expressed strong concern about the cost of treating smoking-related illness, compared with 54% of those in middle age, and 42% of younger people.
While vaping was viewed as somewhat less harmful, the pattern of concern was similar.
Nearly half (47%) of older Islanders said they were very concerned about the health effects of vaping, compared to 38% of those aged 40–64 and 37% of under-40s. Concern about the impact of vaping on bystanders and the healthcare system also rose sharply with age.
Environmental concerns were also strongest among older age groups, with 54% of over-65s saying they were very concerned about the impact of vaping on nature, compared with 47% of middle-aged, and 43% of younger respondents. Disposable vapes, which contain plastic and lithium batteries, were singled out as a particular problem.
Disposable vape ban
Among the 413 Jersey respondents who left detailed comments, many backed total bans on smoking and vaping in public spaces, including outdoor dining areas and busy streets. Others argued for a specific ban on disposable vapes, citing both their environmental footprint and their appeal to young people.
The report said: “Many called for banning disposable vapes due to environmental concerns and youth appeal. Other policy suggestions included prescription-only access to vapes or tobacco for cessation, and stronger enforcement of existing laws including sales to minors and littering.”
One respondent pointed to Thailand, where it is illegal to vape in public.
They explained that people caught with vapes in the south-east Asian country are fined up to £450.
“If Jersey introduced this law too, it could act as a deterrent to stop youngsters and adults from vaping,” they said.
Several Islanders expressed frustration that disposable vapes were often discarded in the street, adding to litter problems. Calls were made for the introduction of recycling bins for cigarette butts and vape components in public areas.
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.
Retailers can sell existing single-use vape stock until 1 February 2026, but may be asked to provide evidence that the products were imported prior to the law coming into force.
The ban was introduced amid concerns about the environmental impact of disposable vapes in a move intended to help tackle the climate emergency and reduce Jersey’s waste.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland banned the sale and supply of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025 with no selling-through period.
Youth vaping: a growing worry
Islanders also reported anxiety about young people vaping.
There was the strongest support for measures specifically aimed at preventing or deterring young people from smoking and vaping, according to the research – which found that 91% would support the introduction of support for schools to prevent people from vaping on school grounds.
Around 85% of Islanders would support more public health campaigns about smoking and vaping targeted at young people and around 80% would support more advertising controls and display restrictions on vapes.
Survey respondents repeatedly mentioned that children and teenagers were easily accessing nicotine products — sometimes ordering them online with little to no age verification.
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 vape online and a lack of ID checks.”
Suggestions to restrict or deter young people from vaping included age verification, plain packaging, and the removal of sweet or fruity flavours thought to appeal to teenagers.
Age verification and education were also recurring themes, with respondents urging the government and schools to strengthen messaging about addiction and health risks.
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.”
Public space frustration
The social impact of both smoking and vaping also emerged as a key area of concern.
Islanders voiced frustration about second-hand smoke and vapour drifting across outdoor dining areas, high streets, and bus stops.
One respondent said: “As a non-smoker, breathing in other people’s addiction isn’t fair and it may impact my health, they should keep it to themselves away from others.”
Many Islanders called for designated smoking and vaping zones to protect non-smokers while allowing users some freedom.
The report said: “Many are frustrated with second-hand smoke and vapour, especially in outdoor dining areas and on busy highstreets. They suggested to introduce designated smoking/vaping zones in public spaces.”
Healthcare and prevention
Beyond personal irritation, Islanders expressed deeper unease about the long-term public health implications of vaping – particularly given the lack of definitive research on its effects.
Respondents feared that today’s young vapers could become tomorrow’s patients, placing further strain on Jersey’s healthcare system.
The report said: “There was concern for the future impact on the healthcare system, particularly from vaping due to not much being known about the long-term effects on user’s health.
“The impact of second-hand inhalation of both smoking and vaping on public health was also raised as a concern.
“There was support for increased health education to the public and in schools on the consequences associated with smoking and vaping as a preventative measure, as well as increased investment in supporting those quitting.”
There was widespread support for increased investment in health education, both in schools and through public campaigns.
Many wanted stronger messaging about the risks of both smoking and vaping, with some calling for targeted prevention programmes to stop new users starting in the first place.
The report said: “Total bans for smoking and vaping were frequently suggested, especially banning in public spaces. Many called for banning disposable vapes due to environmental concerns and youth appeal.
“Other policy suggestions included prescription-only access to vapes or tobacco for cessation, and stronger enforcement of existing laws including sales to minors and littering.”
Mixed views on taxation
Taxation emerged as a divisive issue. While some Islanders backed higher taxes on tobacco and vape products as a deterrent, others felt such measures disproportionately hurt lower-income residents.
The report described “mixed views on increasing taxes”.
“Some support it as a deterrent while others argue it disproportionately affects low-income individuals and doesn’t tackle addiction,” it said.
“A few noted the government’s reliance on tobacco tax revenue is a potential barrier to enforcing new regulations regarding smoking and vaping.”
One respondent said: “I don’t think it’s possible to increase tax on tobacco – it is ridiculously high at the moment.”
Another noted that increasing tax is unlikely to deter young people.
They said: “Stop accessibility of vapes to younger people. Stop advertising. Increasing tax won’t have an effect as young people get the money from parents and don’t really understand the impact of tax so that won’t work.”
One respondent called for nicotine replacement therapies to be cheaper to encourage Islanders to stop smoking.
“I believe the price of nicotine replacement like patches and other products should cost a lot less at the pharmacy. It is almost as cheap to smoke,” they said.
“The cost is way too high and does not encourage one to stop. “
“Government overreach”
A “significant minority” emphasised personal freedom for adults should be maintained, according to the report.
Some respondents saw outright bans as “government overreach”, warning that prohibition could backfire by pushing vaping underground and making it more appealing as an “illicit substance”.
One respondent said: “Ultimately it is still individual choice and if you ban completely it will become an underground activity and the government will lose tax and duty income.”
Another explained: “I don’t agree with the ban of smoking and vaping outside, as smokers have already accepted they can’t smoke indoors. I believe they are entitled to at least smoke outdoors.”
