Fifth of secondary school children in Calderdale have tried vaping - new report

Cigarettes and alcohol are by and large looming less in Calderdale children’s lives, though there remain some concerns about vaping, according to a latest study.

Every year Calderdale Council sends out a detailed questionnaire to primary and secondary pupils in certain school cohorts, asking them to respond anonymously to a detailed list of questions relating to their health and wellbeing.

One of the sections related to children’s risk-taking behaviour, including smoking, vaping and alcohol.

The 2025 responses from the young people at secondary age level show that children smoking cigarettes remains low, with figures comparable to last year – only six per cent have ever smokes cigarettes, only one per cent smokes cigarettes at least once a week and only three per cent tried cigarettes when they were aged 12 or younger.

However vaping stats remain about the same as those surveyed in 2024, with 22 per cent of responders having smoked the electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

Figures show improvement – that is, less of them – in terms of whether the secondary age pupils have ever drunk alcohol, 34 per cent, down five per cent on last year and down from over half, 52 per cent, in 2019.

Only three per cent of those responding currently drinks alcohol at least once a week, with 17 per cent of responders having “ever been really drunk”, also improvements in the short and long term.

Of secondary age responders, five per cent have been “really drunk more than 2-3 times” and 20 per cent first tried alcohol when they were aged 12 or younger.

A higher figure – 45 per cent – comes from secondary age children responding to the assertion “seen parent/carer really drunk.”

Among primary age children, one per cent have ever smoked a cigarette, with five per cent having tried an e-cigarette, but no pupils responding have used either on a regular (weekly) basis – however, these figures are worse than last year’s.

Twelve per cent have ever drunk alcohol – this is described as “more than a few sips” – one per cent drink alcohol at least once a week and three per cent have ever been “really drunk”, though none more than two or three times.

The stats for alcohol use among primary age pupils responding are the same or improving compared to last year.

Similar to the question put to secondary pupils, 36 per cent of responders have seen their parent or carer “really drunk.”

The questions asked are not exactly the same in the primary and secondary questionnaires.

Calderdale Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Board members were considering the report.

The report each year asks children in school Years 5 and 6, for primary age pupils, and 7 and 10 for secondary age pupils, for their responses to a series of questions about their health, happiness and safety.

The results are used by health and education professionals to help ensure their needs are met and where they can do more to support them.