Smoking and vaping rates among young people in Wigan borough are falling
Fewer young people in Wigan are smoking and vaping, according to a recent survey.
Following national concerns about youths smoking and vaping, Wigan Council made it a priority to reduce these figures locally.
More than 1,000 people aged 14 to 17 took part in a trading standards survey which found the number of young people who had tried vaping fell from around 44 per cent in 2023 to 18 per cent in 2026.
The survey, carried out between November 2025 and February 2026, highlighted that smoking is at an all-time low, with around 97 per cent reporting they had never tried it.
Coun Keith Cunliffe, deputy council leader and cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said: “I’m really pleased to see smoking and vaping rates among young people in Wigan borough continuing to fall.
“Reducing tobacco and nicotine use among young people is one of the most effective ways to prevent long-term ill health and reduce health inequalities in our communities.
“This is a clear sign that our efforts to educate, support and protect our young residents are making a real difference.
“While we know there’s more to do, this progress shows we’re moving in the right direction and helping more young people make healthier choices for their future.”
Alongside the work of the council’s public health team, figures have declined as trading standards have been tackling those suspected of selling cigarettes and vapes to children.
Acting on intelligence often provided by the public, they conduct routine and unannounced visits to businesses, while also using underage volunteers to identify those selling illegally to children.
Prosecutions have been made against 20 shops in the borough in the last two years.
Changes to national legislation may have also made an impact, with the law changing in June 2025 to prevent the sale and supply of single-use vapes, while the Tobacco and Vapes Act made it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on, or after, January 1, 2009.
Wigan Council’s new ethical advertising policy restricts advertising that harms physical and mental health, including tobacco and vapes.
Nevertheless, the trading standards survey found people are trying vapes at an increasingly younger age and 37 per cent of children admitted buying vapes from shops or friends aged under 18.
Rachael Musgrave, Wigan Council’s director of public health, said: “What matters most is that we listen to young people and act on what they are telling us.
“While we’re seeing positive progress in some areas, these findings highlight ongoing concerns around mental well-being and exposure to harmful influences.
“In Wigan borough, we’re responding through work in schools, stronger action with trading standards to tackle illegal sales, reducing exposure to harmful influences like vaping and alcohol marketing, and community-based support that helps young people build resilience and thrive.”
Coun Kevin Anderson, portfolio holder for police, crime, and civil contingencies, added: “The declining figures of young people smoking and vaping shows that the collective efforts of the council and its partners is making a real difference in our communities.
“However, our work does not stop here. The council will continue to work proactively to protect our children’s health, and we urge residents to please continue to report any businesses suspected of selling vapes or cigarettes to children so trading standards can act.”