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One in five youngsters in Gwent aged between 11 and 16 are reported to have tried vaping, according to a recent survey.

The survey was carried out by the School Health Research Network, which is a national body focusing on improving young people’s health and wellbeing.

Professor Tracy Daszkiewicz, recently appointed Director for Public Health at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said there is a “frightening rise” in the number of young people vaping across Gwent.

Prof Daszkiewicz said: “Although some use vaping as an effective tool to help people quit the very harmful effect of tobacco, a lot of E-Cigarettes still contain highly addictive nicotine and other chemicals.

“We want to advise young people not to start vaping and so our message is simple – ‘Don’t Smoke? Why would you start vaping?’.”

Eryl Powell, the health board’s consultant lead for early years, children and young people, said: “It is important to remind people that vaping is not harmless, with short-term effects of coughing, dizziness, sore throats and headaches being reported – and the long-term effects are not yet known.”

The health board’s public health team has created guidance, which aims to help schools and colleges become smoke-free.

Speaking about the guidance, Ms Powell said: “This local guidance document provides schools with the latest information to enable them to take a whole school approach to becoming smoke free.

“This includes actions schools can take around vaping, as well as advice they can share with parents and the community.”

She added: “It is illegal to sell E-Cigarettes to under 18s. If you are aware of retailers in your community selling any tobacco products or e-cigarettes to children under the age of 18, please report them to Trading Standards.

“You can do this by visiting: NO IFS. NO BUTTS.”