This report summarises findings for Scotland from the ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) SmokeFree GB Youth survey 2024. Results are for the 11-17 age group and focus on: use of vapes, cigarettes and related products; main source and type of products used; and experiences and views of users, including reasons for vaping and perceptions of harms.
Key findings
- In 2024, 18.8% of those aged 11-17 said they had tried vaping, including 10% who only tried a vape once or twice and 7.4% who identified as current vapers (4.6% regular vapers – vaping more than once a week – and 2.8% occasional vapers).
- 16.6% of the sample said they had tried smoking, including 6.9% who only tried smoking once and 4.4% who identified as current smokers (1.3% regular smokers – smoking once a week or more – and 3.1% occasional smokers).
- Both ever and current use of vapes and cigarettes generally increased with age.
- Ever use of vapes was more frequent in girls compared to boys (22.4% vs 15.6%).
- A small percentage (3%) of all those aged 11-17 reported ever use of nicotine pouches (i.e. tobacco-free oral products to be placed between lip and gum for nicotine absorption) and 5.1% ever use of shisha (i.e. water pipe used to heat tobacco usually mixed with herbs or flavourings).
