Rising use of vapes and nicotine pouches among teenagers is disrupting classrooms, straining staff resources and raising concerns about youth addiction, according to new research led by University of Stirling and the Scottish Centre for Social Research.

The study, based on interviews and focus groups with 77 pupils aged 14 to 16 and 13 school staff across four secondary schools in Scotland, found that use of new nicotine products (NNPs) is affecting attendance, behaviour and the wider school environment.

Pupils reported leaving lessons and missing classes to vape or use nicotine pouches, often in toilets or just outside school grounds, contributing to truancy and disruption. Some also reported adverse health effects and signs of dependency.

Dr Allison Ford, associate professor at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said the findings highlight the scale of the issue within schools.

“Pupils reported widespread use of NNPs… and missed classes and played truant because they were using these products,” she said, adding that some young people felt they were addicted to nicotine and experiencing negative health impacts.

Growing burden on schools

Teachers reported spending significant time managing vaping-related issues, including patrolling school grounds and toilets, confiscating devices and engaging with local retailers to encourage stricter age-verification practices.

Some staff described clear signs of nicotine dependence among pupils. One teacher told researchers a student was vaping “every 20 minutes” and struggling to attend classes due to disrupted sleep and reliance on nicotine.

Others noted behavioural impacts, with pupils becoming agitated when unable to leave lessons to vape.

Dr Andy MacGregor, director of Policy Research at the Scottish Centre for Social Research, who led the school-based research, said the issue is placing a considerable burden on school resources.

“School staff are spending a considerable amount of time trying to address vaping,” he said, noting that non-vaping pupils can also feel uncomfortable, particularly in shared spaces such as toilets.

Despite enforcement efforts, pupils admitted finding ways to avoid detection, highlighting the ongoing challenge for schools.

Regulatory response

Professor Jamie Pearce, personal chair in health geography at the University of Edinburgh and one of the paper’s co-authors, said the recently enacted Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 could help tackle the issue by tightening rules around marketing, sales and product availability.

The legislation introduces measures including age restrictions, a ban on free distribution, and powers to regulate flavours, packaging and displays.

However, researchers argue that broader action will be needed, including tighter controls on accessibility, pricing and marketing to curb youth uptake.

“A wider societal approach is needed to address the use and impact of vapes and other nicotine products among young people. Restrictions on availability, accessibility, marketing, price, and flavourings are likely to be required and should be implemented as quickly as possible,” Pearce said.

The research is published in the journal BMJ Open as part of the wider “New Nicotine Products in Scotland” study, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, which examines the retail availability, display and marketing of NNPs in four communities in Scotland.

A previous study published by the team last year found that young people in Scotland are experimenting with nicotine pouches and reporting adverse effects such as sickness and fainting.