New Service Launched in Derbyshire Schools to Combat Youth Vaping and Smoking
Vibe, the first dedicated cessation service for young people, offers confidential support in 10 secondary schools across the county.
By Aisha Mahmood
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of a hand with a vaping device marked with a red cross, in a school setting.
A new specialist service named Vibe has been launched in 10 Derbyshire secondary schools to help young people aged 12 to 18 quit vaping and smoking.
The Vibe service, funded by Derbyshire County Council’s public health team and delivered by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS), aims to provide free, confidential support to tackle rising rates of youth nicotine addiction. An estimated 3,000 Derbyshire pupils vape regularly, and around 750 smoke regularly.
Specially trained advisers will offer one-to-one coaching, quit planning, behaviour change support, and nicotine replacement therapy where appropriate. While vaping is considered less harmful than smoking, it is not risk-free for young people.
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"We are excited to launch Vibe and offer young people an approachable, accessible and confidential service to help them stop smoking or vaping. We understand that quitting can be challenging, which is why Vibe provides personalised support, encouragement and practical tools to help young people succeed. Our aim is to empower young people to make positive choices for their health and wellbeing and support them every step of their quit journey. Even if a young person isn’t ready to quit yet, they can come to us and talk about their options and how we can support them."
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"Too many young people are becoming addicted to nicotine through smoking or vaping, often without fully understanding the impact it can have on their health and wellbeing. Vibe is the first service of its kind in Derbyshire and will give young people the practical support, encouragement and confidence they need to quit. By providing specialist support directly in schools, we can reach young people early, help prevent long-term harm and support our ambition for Derbyshire to become smoke-free by 2030."
Young people seeking help can text the free and confidential ChatHealth service on 07507 330025, visit school drop-in sessions where available, or contact their local public health nurse. Advice and support are also available via Live Life Better Derbyshire, even if their school is not part of the Vibe programme.
