New research shows rising teenage nicotine use is affecting lessons, attendance and placing growing pressure on staff.
A new study, led by the University of Stirling and the Scottish Centre for Social Research, found the increasing use of vapes and nicotine is affecting schools.
Pupils were discovered to be leaving lessons to use nicotine products and, in some cases, missing classes altogether.
To conduct the research, which was published today (5th May), experts carried out focus groups and interviews with 77 pupils aged 14 to 16 and 13 members of staff across four secondary schools in Scotland’s central belt.
Dr Alison Ford, of the University of Stirling, said: ‘Pupils reported widespread use of NNPS, such as vapes and nicotine pouches, and missed classes and played truant because they were using these products in a variety of places, including school toilets, and outside school grounds.
‘A few pupils felt they were addicted to nicotine and reported adverse health effects.’
‘School staff adopted a range of approaches to address the issue, including regular patrols and sweeps of school areas, monitoring toilet facilities, and visiting neighbourhood shops to encourage more robust retail practices,’ Dr Ford continued. ‘They are also confiscating vapes and issuing exclusions or detentions for their use.
‘However, staff said they have limited knowledge of capes and nicotine pouches and felt less confident addressing the risks, compared with tobacco-related teaching. They called for more resources to support teaching about the risks of nicotine use among young people.’
- A previous study, published by the same team, found young people in Scotland are experimenting with nicotine pouches and experiencing sickness and fainting.
On support to help teenagers quit nicotine use, the study comes as the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 has received Royal Assent. The law aims to create the UK’s first-ever smoke free generation.
Within the research, teachers reported some pupils showing worrying signs of dependence. One said: ‘I’ve got a…pupil who vapes ever 20 minutes. Every 20 minutes. [They are] up ’till four in the morning…[and] really struggling to get to classes.’
Another said: ‘There’s a couple, or maybe more than a couple, in here that are totally addicted to it…and they’ll tell you, they’re very upfront about it. So that is having an impact on behaviour, because it’s like if they don’t get out of class they’re getting more and more agitated.’
One pupil admitted they’re actively taking steps to avoid being seen vaping: ‘I’ve been caught about five times…so you just need to realise what to do and what not to do.’
Professor Jamie Pearce, one of the study’s co-authors, explained the Tobacco and Vapes Act will ‘prevent under-18s from purchasing nicotine products, banning free distribution, and enabling regulation of flavours, packaging and display.’
‘A wider societal approach is needed to address the use and impact of vapes and other nicotine products among young people,’ he added. ‘Restrictions on availability, accessibility, marketing, price, and flavourings are likely to be required and should be implemented as quickly as possible.’
The research can be read in full here.
Image: Nery Zarate/UnSplash
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