HSE Launches National Youth Vaping Campaign as Survey Finds One in Four Children Have Tried E-Cigarettes

The HSE has launched a major new youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign, targeting young people across Ireland as new research reveals over one in four children say they have tried vaping.

The campaign was launched today at Presentation De La Salle College in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, by the HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, alongside Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD, students, teachers and doctors.

A HSE Youth Vaping Survey carried out in February 2026 found that over one in four children have ever vaped, one in ten have tried nicotine pouches, and over 70% of children say they are exposed to vaping or vapes in school or in shops.

The campaign warns that vaping can cause serious harm to the developing brain, heart, lungs, teeth, gums and blood vessels, and can lead to addiction to nicotine and other substances. Young people are considered particularly vulnerable as their brains are still developing.

Minister Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD said:

"The Government is committed to protecting our children and young people from the harms caused by nicotine use. We are bringing in new laws that will protect our children from the harms of current and future nicotine products, marketed so very aggressively to children."

The Minister confirmed that while the sale of vapes to under-18s is already banned, the Government intends to extend this ban to all nicotine products, introduce restrictions on vape flavours and packaging, and bring in a complete ban on the retail sale of disposable vapes.

Martina Blake, HSE National Lead for Tobacco Free Ireland, said:

"Vaping use in young people under the age of 18 has increased in recent years and about 1 in 5 people under the age of 18 say they vape. Children and young people are more vulnerable and at risk of the negative effects of vaping and nicotine use. We have designed a campaign that speaks directly to young people about the risk of vaping, and to people who can make a difference and have an influence on young people such as parents and guardians, teachers and sports coaches. This campaign aims to contribute, alongside policy, to reversing these trends."

For the first time, the HSE is working with content creators, including radio presenter and content creator Kasey Campion, to reach younger audiences directly through social media.

Kasey Campion said:

"One of my biggest icks is vaping. Why would we put something into our bodies when we don't one hundred percent know the risks? I tried vapes on a few nights out when I was younger and thought it was pointless and not cool. I know a lot of younger people follow me, and I feel if I could go back and be a teenager again, I wish I had someone older to tell me not to try vaping."

The campaign also highlights findings that three in four young people rank their parents as their most trusted source of information on vaping, and complements the existing 'Take a Deep Breath' campaign aimed at parents and influential adults.