A new British study of just over 30,000 secondary school pupils shows that the same social factors underlie young people’s use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis – as well as vejpning. The behaviour of peers was found to be the most significant factor, whilst a safe school environment and good relationships with teachers and parents act as mitigating factors.
The study in question is based on data from the #BeeWell youth project and has been published in the academic journal *International Journal of Drug Policy*. It has focused on the factors that lead young people to start using nicotine or drugs.
The research focuses on the factors that lead young people to start using various nicotine and drug products, not on how harmful these products are in relation to one another. The fact that vejp is analysed alongside cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis does not, therefore, mean that the researchers are equating any health risks. Nor does the study say anything about the role of e-cigarettes as harm-reduction tools for adult smokers.
The study involves 30,920 pupils aged 12–15 from 100 schools in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, and was carried out by researchers at the University of Manchester. The researchers analysed the use of the various products, as well as a large number of potential risk and protective factors linked to the individual, family, school and local environment.
School is more important than the neighbourhood
The results show that the school environment had a greater influence than the neighbourhood on whether young people used nicotine or other substances.
Pupils who felt a strong sense of belonging at school and had good relationships with their teachers consistently reported lower levels of use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis, as well as vejp. Strong support from parents and family was a clear factor in preventing them from taking up any of these substances.
The researchers, however, found a weaker link between substance use and socio-economic factors in the neighbourhood than previous research has often assumed.
The single strongest risk factor was the young people’s social networks.
Pupils whose friends used nicotine or drugs were significantly more likely to report using them themselves. This association was found for all the substances studied.
The researchers therefore point out that preventive work should not only be aimed at individuals, but should also take into account the school environment and the importance of peer groups.
Vaping follows the same pattern
When the researchers analysed vejp separately, the pattern that emerged was largely the same as for the other substances.
Young people with mental health problems, a weaker connection to school, or friends who used nicotine or other drugs were more likely to report that they vejped. At the same time, good relationships with adults and a positive school environment were linked to a lower prevalence of vejping.
The researchers therefore believe that many of the factors influencing young people’s substance use are the same, regardless of whether it concerns e-cigarettes, traditional cigarettes, alcohol or cannabis.
Shows correlations – not causes
At the same time, the researchers emphasise that the study is a cross-sectional study. This means that it shows which factors are associated with young people’s substance use, but cannot determine which factors cause which.
According to the researchers, the findings nevertheless suggest that schools can play an important role in prevention by strengthening pupils’ sense of belonging, their relationships with adults and the social environment at school.
Facts about the study
The study, Substance-general and substance-specific influences on adolescent vaping, smoking, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use: Context, inequalities and putative determinants, published in 2026 in International Journal of Drug Policy. It is based on data from the #BeeWell programme and covers 30,920 young people from 100 schools in southern England.
