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Hertfordshire County Council

Vape Brain

The effect of nicotine on the brain

We know vaping can cause coughing, headaches and dizziness, but did you know that nicotine vapes can also affect your mental health?

Young people are highly sensitive to nicotine. It can:

  • make it hard to concentrate, remember things and learn
  • cause anxiety or make it worse
  • cause low mood or depressive symptoms
  • increase your stress levels

Nicotine withdrawal symptoms happen when you’ve regularly vaped and then stop. Symptoms include:

  • cravings – the urge to vape again can be difficult to manage
  • feeling angry, irritable or restless – sometimes called ‘vape rage’
  • brain fog – this can make it difficult to focus and concentrate
  • difficulty sleeping – causing tiredness

 


Giving up nicotine

Quitting vaping can improve your mental health.

  • Nicotine is very hard to stop using once you’ve started
  • Your brain wants the dopamine hit it has become used to
  • Self-control is needed to fight the cravings
  • Withdrawal symptoms can last 2-4 weeks

Who can support me?

Friendly and confidential advice about vaping:
Visit the Talk to FRANK website
Call 0300 123 6600 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Check out the Guide for youth vaping
Text Chat Health

More guidance on how to quit vaping:
Visit the NHS How to quit vaping website


What’s in a vape

Vapes can help adults quit smoking, but if you're under 18, vaping isn't a good idea.

Vape liquids contain chemicals that could be harmful to your development:

  • propylene glycol
  • glycerine
  • flavourings
  • nicotine

Puffing on a vape triggers a battery-powered heating element, which turns the vape liquid into vapour that is inhaled.

 

 

Illegal vape sales

Nicotine vapes are regulated for safety and quality in the UK, as long as they are from a reputable supplier.

Non-regulated (illegal) vapes may contain banned ingredients or exceed restrictions on nicotine content.

It’s illegal to sell nicotine vapes to under-18s or buy them for someone under 18. Single-use vapes are also illegal.

Counterfeit or non-duty paid cigarettes and tobacco are illegal and can contain unknown harmful substances.

If you think a retailer is breaking the law, please report them to our Trading Standards team.

Report a trader

Information for parents and carers

If you are concerned that your child is vaping, you may find this Quit vaping guide for parents and carers useful.

Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to talk to your child about vaping. We’ve put together some advice that might help.

Talking to your child about vaping

  • Pick the right time: Start the chat when vaping naturally comes up, like seeing someone vape or passing a vape shop.
  • Ask open questions: Find out what they think about vaping and why people do it.
  • Listen carefully: Show interest in their views and learn from them.
  • Take it step by step: Spread the conversation over several talks so it’s not overwhelming.
  • Share facts calmly: Explain that vapes aren’t harmless and be clear that smoking is even riskier.
  • Show you care: Make clear why you don’t want them to vape or smoke and that sellers put profit over health.
  • Talk about reasons: Discuss why young people vape (fitting in, curiosity, stress) and practice ways to resist pressure.
  • If they vape: Ask what they like about it and suggest healthier alternatives without approving the habit.
  • Teach refusal skills: Help them say confidently, “No thanks, it’s not for me.”
  • Give trusted resources: Point them to reliable sites like Talk to FRANK for accurate info.

Your questions answered

My son has asked me which is worse—smoking or vaping?

Smoking is more harmful due to the toxic tar and carbon monoxide found in tobacco smoke, which can cause cancer, lung disease and heart disease.

Does vaping help my teenager cope with stress and anxiety?

Vaping can actually increase stress and anxiety - nicotine highs fade quickly, causing stress between uses. Quitting reduces these ups and downs, making stress easier to manage.

My teenager is worried about losing friends if they quit vaping – any advice?

It’s hard when friends vape. Reassure them that they can still be friends without vaping – they are not saying it’s wrong, just that they are choosing to do something different. Some friends may even support or join them in quitting.

Vapes are not as addictive as cigarettes though, right?

While cigarettes pose a higher risk of nicotine dependency than vaping, any nicotine use can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms can be hard to manage.

My child has admitted that they vape constantly and is worried - what should I do?

The fact that they have opened up is a good sign – they trust you and are ready to make a change. Help them to set limits – they could put the vape out of sight or ask someone to keep it for them, restrict use to certain times or places and get help to reduce their nicotine intake gradually.

How can I protect my teenager from spiked vapes?

Spiking often happens when vapes are swapped among young people. Explain that illegal vapes can contain harmful unknown substances, and that accepting a vape off someone else means they don’t know where it is from or what the contents are. Encourage them not to accept vapes from others. 

Should I worry about nicotine pouches?

Nicotine pouches are small wads of cellulose impregnated with nicotine and flavouring – not to be confused with snus/tobacco pouches which contain powdered tobacco and are illegal in the UK. Nicotine pouches may contain high nicotine levels, can legally be sold to young people and may lead to dependence. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of all nicotine products to under 18s.

Does vaping cause popcorn lung?

Popcorn lung (a rare disease called bronchiolitis obliterans) is caused by inhaling diacetyl, a chemical found in some e-cigarettes. However, diacetyl is banned in UK-regulated vapes. 

Can vapes explode?

Vape explosions can occur due to battery malfunctions, device defects, or user error but this is relatively rare.

Our ‘Vape Brain’ campaign aims to help young people understand the risks associated with nicotine vapes. Find out more about the Vape Brain campaign on our news pages.

 

With thanks to Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes City Council for allowing us to use content from the Choose You ‘How to quit vaping: a guide for under 18s’. 

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