OVER two-thirds of Islanders surveyed would back a ban on smoking and vaping for those born in 2009 or later, new figures have revealed.
Research on smoking and vaping habits and attitudes in Jersey was conducted by Island Global Research, with more than 1,300 Islanders taking part in the online data collection exercise earlier this year.
The report showed 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, around 80% would support more advertising controls and display restrictions on vapes, and 65% would support a ban on vaping for those born in 2009 or later unless prescribed to help quit smoking.
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.
Education was also a recurring theme, with respondents urging government and schools to strengthen messaging about addiction and health risks.
Martin Knight, head of health improvement at Public Health Jersey, said that the responses align with the finding from Public Health’s 2024 Parents and Carers Vaping Survey, which showed “strong support” for preventing the use of vapes in children and young people.
He said: “Within Public Health we have been working with colleagues across government on proposals to tax vapes, and are exploring other regulations around reuseable vapes and nicotine products.
“Earlier this year, we launched a youth-led campaign to help young people quit vaping and prevent uptake. A second phase, including an online quit tool, will follow later this year. We’ve also provided flexible resources for schools via PHSE leads in CYPES.”
However, Mr Knight said it is important to highlight that smoking tobacco is “far more” harmful than vaping.
“Therefore, our work will continue to focus on reducing the uptake of vaping amongst young people, balanced with the need for vapes to remain appealing to adults who want to stop smoking,” he added.
Plans to introduce a vaping tax were outlined in the government’s proposed Budget, which was published last month.
If approved, it would see a new vaping tax introduced at £2 per 10ml of vape liquid. This follows the UK, which is introducing a vape tax on 1 October 2026 at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml of liquid.
And 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.
