I am a young person, and see a lot of young people vaping in Ellesmere Port. Vaping is a big problem, and it is all over the country.
The legal age to buy vapes in the United Kingdom is 18, and has been since October 2007 when the age was changed from 16 to 18. Proxy sales have been banned for the longest time as well, meaning anyone over 18 cannot buy a vape for a young person.
I'm Jake, I'm 14, and I'm what people call well-known. I have connections with many Ellesmere Port young people, and I thought I'd speak to them about vaping.
I had a response from 14 young people who vape. These young people were aged 11-15. You read that right. 11-15. The youngest person is almost 7 years younger than the legal age.
I asked these 5 young people why they vape, and where they get the vapes from. A word I saw within every single one of these responses was 'stress'. Stress from school, home life & social media.
One young person stuck out to me. They told me, "I think it helps more.. but it also messes up my lungs. If I know the consequences of vaping, it's okay". Is it okay though? No. I'm not writing this article today to lecture young people or say 'it's wrong', I'm writing it because it's a problem that parents, schools, community leaders and the government need to address.
Every day around me, I watch as my friends damage what once used to be perfectly healthy lungs. Social media plays a major role. Person E told me they vape to 'fit in'. It astonishes me that young people feel pressured into vaping because it has become socially acceptable & normal.
Exciting flavour names and bright colours are all enticing these young people in. Another similarity that I saw within these responses was that vaping is 'fun'. I asked the person why they find it fun, and they told me it's because of the tricks. The most popular tricks are 'ghosts' and 'O's. Many young people choose to ignore the long-term side effects, whilst others know what the long-term side effects are and think that makes it 'more fun'.
I asked these people where they get vapes from. Remember before how I mentioned 'proxy sales'. That is the root cause of this. It blew me away when young people told me they ask their parents to buy them vapes. Parents are supporting this 'hobby' and whilst they know it is harming their child, they continue to allow them to do it.
Two others told me they get them from shops - 'boss man' gives them without checking ID. Some Ellesmere Port & Chester shops are giving vapes to children. Whilst we have already seen action from the local council shutting down two vape shops for this reason, it is not enough. Children are finding ways to bypass the system - to the point where it becomes a hobby.
Ellesmere Port Catholic High School have already started fighting against this positively. In May 2025, EPCHS launched the 'Vape Amnesty', where students could anonymously hand over vapes & e-cigarettes at Student Services with no questions asked and no disciplinary consequence. A student told me they found this helpful, but not enough.
In June 2025, EPCHS launched the 'Vape Challenge' - screening wands. On Monday 2 June 2025, all students entering the main entrance were physically funnelled and screened by staff using electronic screening wands - a change we are also seeing brought into the Ellesmere Port C of E College.
In early 2025, Whitby High School tackled the issue from a student perspective. They partnered with multiple schools to launch the "Voices Unlocked" project. Students surveyed their peers about community safety and vaping trends. These surveys were then used by the Police and Crime Commissioner to help shape local enforcement strategies.
Whitby recognised that this isn't a disciplinary issue, it is an addiction. They have formally partnered with UKAT - UK Addiction Treatment Centres to integrate expert medical advice directly into the school's health curriculum, giving students confidential, professional support to help them quit vaping.
In June, single-use disposable vapes were banned from sale and supply in the UK to discourage youth vaping. As a result, young people have shifted towards rechargeable vapes, which feature rechargeable batteries and swappable e-liquid tanks or pods.
Ellesmere Port News recognises that it isn't always a child's fault - and whilst you may argue they have the option not to, it feels like they don't. Peer pressure, social media and fitting in are big causes, and although that's not an excuse, it is the result of things like this.
Parents, talk to your kids. Consider the dangers and side effects of vaping. There are many support schemes in place to help you quit.
Here are some: