The Health Committee of the Greater London Authority Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday 4 November 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion on underage vaping in London, building on previous discussions, and a review of the committee's work programme.

Underage Vaping in London Part 2

The committee is scheduled to continue its investigation into underage vaping in London. This discussion will draw on background information detailing the prevalence of vaping among young people, with a 2026 study by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) indicating that 19% of 11–17-year-olds nationally had tried vaping, and 6% reported current use. The report notes a significant increase in underage vaping between 2021 and 2023, coinciding with the rise of disposable e-cigarettes, although this trend has since plateaued.

While evidence generally suggests that vaping poses a fraction of the risks associated with smoking in the short to medium term, the long-term health effects remain unknown. The NHS highlights that children's developing lungs and brains make them more sensitive to vaping's effects. Some research indicates a link between vaping and increased engagement in activities such as smoking, alcohol use, and marijuana use, though youth smoking rates have continued to decline despite the rise in vaping.

Despite a general consensus that vaping is less harmful than smoking, a significant proportion of adults and young people perceive vaping as equally or more harmful than smoking. The sale of vapes to under-18s is illegal, yet evidence suggests underage sales are common. A review by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute found that illegal sales occurred in 33% of test purchases of disposable vapes made by young people.

The recently passed Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 aims to reduce vaping and prevent future generations from accessing cigarettes. A key provision of this Act is the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme for all vape retailers, which is currently subject to consultation. This scheme will be monitored and enforced by local authorities and their Trading Standards teams.

The committee's investigation into underage vaping has a broad scope, aiming to understand the extent of the problem, the actions taken by London boroughs, the potential impact and implementation challenges of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, young people's attitudes towards vaping, and further actions that could be taken by the Mayor, Government, and boroughs.

The meeting is scheduled to hear from two panels of invited guests. Panel 1 will include Kirstie Soar, Tobacco Harm Reduction Academic Consultant at the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training; Kirsten Watters, Director of Health and Wellbeing at the London Borough of Camden; and Callum Delhoy, Public Affairs and Policy Manager at London Youth. Panel 2 will feature Fatima Hydara and Stephanie Hall from Enabling Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) in Tower Hamlets, Barnardo's, alongside members of the Tower Hamlets Anti-Vaping Youth Forum.

Health Committee Work Programme

The committee is also scheduled to review its work programme. This report outlines the planned topics for future meetings, including further discussions on underage vaping, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Reforms, and NHS Structures in London. The committee's role is to examine and report on matters relating to health in London and to scrutinise the Mayor's Health Inequalities Strategy. The schedule of meetings includes dates for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027.