Changing our World (CoW) is the children and young people’s advisory group for Children in Scotland. Members of the group are aged 8-25, and have different backgrounds, ideas, experiences, and views. They work with us to influence all aspects of our work to ensure it is relevant to the lives of children
and young people.

Changing our World began work on the topic of vaping after a member of the group
highlighted how popular it was among classmates who were in the early phases of secondary school. As a result, we have discussed the topic over the course of nine hanging our World meetings to develop understanding of the group’s views on the subject and what they want to change.

Our discussions helped CoW to plan and deliver a workshop on vaping at Children in Scotland’s Annual Conference in November 2022, to practitioners who work with children and young people. In September 2023, the group also met with the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto MSP, to share their views.

This paper lays out the views of Changing our World and focuses on key themes the
group has identified. These themes are: thoughts and concerns about vaping.

This paper lays out the views of Changing our World and focuses on key themes the
group has identified. These themes are:
• The health impacts of vaping
• How vapes are marketed
• How vaping affects the environment
• Children and young people’s experiences
in school.

This paper adds to the existing evidence base around the impacts of vaping and has important implications for policymakers and those working with children and young people. CoW members have also come up with recommendations for decision-makers to address the key issues identified by the group.