Parents in Jersey are being asked what can be done to address children and young people using vapes.

An online survey has opened asking parents and carers what they know about children vaping.

Public Health says it's to get a better understand of young people's vaping habits, amid a big rise in the numbers using electronic cigarettes.

The survey, which is open until 16 May, also asks what schools can do to address the issue, and how the authorities and wider community can tackle it.

Martin Knight, Head of Health Improvement, says it's being increasingly concerning:

"Whilst we know that vaping can be an effective tool in helping smokers to quit, it really advised that it is not for non-smokers and it is especially not for children and young people.

We know that vaping is not risk-free and therefore we are concerned with that rising level amongst children and young people.

We have seen a 'massive surge' in people using these devices."

A questionnaire in 2021 asked schoolchildren about their vape habits.  Around 8% - or 1 in 20 - respondents said they were vaping.

More recently, the latest Opinions and Lifestyle Survey report showed half of young adults between 16 to 34 years had experimented with vaping.  Almost a third of them had never smoked cigarettes before.

Read: Proposed ban on disposable vapes

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH)  has warned youth vaping is becoming an epidemic, and that it could have long-term impacts on young people's lungs, hearts and brains.

The sale of vapes to under 18s is already outlawed. The UK government has previously announced plans to ban disposable vapes in England as soon as April 2025.

More recently, as part of a move to ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born after the end of 2008 to prevent future generations taking up the habit, the UK government is also pursuing a powers to regulate the display of vapes, packaging and flavours.

Mr Knight says Jersey is set to examine similar options.

"Work on a refreshed Tobacco Strategy will be starting soon and could include options similar to those covered within the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, and ensuring that the proposals that move forward are those that will have the best effect in a Jersey environment."