Vaping and Oral Nicotine Product use in Children and Young People - Parents/Carers Survey

Feedback updated 1 Jul 2026

We asked

From November 2025 to March 2026, we carried out a health needs assessment (HNA) to understand how children and young people in the borough are using vapes and other oral nicotine products (ONP)*.

Use of vapes and oral nicotine products among children and young people has risen over the past five years. While the full health effects are still being studied, we already know these products can be harmful.

Through two separate surveys, we asked school and youth service professionals, and parents and carers, to share their views and experiences of children’s use of oral nicotine products and the impact they believe these products have.

Tobacco products were not included in this HNA because tobacco harm reduction is already covered by an existing Havering Public Health Strategy.

*Oral nicotine products include, but are not limited to, disposable and rechargeable vapes (devices containing nicotine e-liquid), nicotine pouches, nicotine strips, dissolvable films and nicotine toothpicks.

You said

Thank you to everyone who took part. We are now reviewing and analysing the results, which will be used in a draft report to help shape our understanding of local needs and improve outcomes for children and young people.

We did

Once the HNA is complete, the findings and recommendations will be published, with all responses anonymised. We will update this page when more information is available.

Closed 15 Mar 2026

Opened 12 Nov 2025

Contact

publichealth@havering.gov.uk

Overview

The use of vapes and other oral nicotine products (ONP)* has been rising over the last 5 years amongst children and young people. The full extent of health impacts are still being studied, however we already know that there are detrimental effects.  

Havering Public Health are conducting a Health Needs Assessment (HNA) to better understand the issue locally and tailor our approach. The HNA focuses on all children aged up to 17, and young people who are care experienced or with SEND aged 18-25.   

We want to hear from parents and carers in Havering about your experience of the use of oral nicotine products by children, and what impact you think they have. The insight you provide will help to shape the local response. The results of the HNA process and resulting recommendations will be publicly available once complete. Your responses will be anonymous. 

This survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Please continue until the end.  

*Oral nicotine products, include but are not limited to: disposable and rechargeable vapes (devices containing a nicotine filled e-liquid); nicotine pouches; nicotine strips; dissolvable films and nicotine toothpicks.

Products containing tobacco are not included in the scope as Tobacco Harm Reduction is part of an existing Havering Public Health Strategy.  

 

Audiences

  • Children
  • Communities
  • Guardians
  • Older Children and Teenagers
  • Parents
  • Residents
  • Young Families
  • Young People

Interests

  • Children's Centres
  • Early Years
  • Environment
  • Nurseries
  • Residents
  • School Governance
  • Secondary School
  • SEND
  • Social Care