Widespread support for measures to stop young people vaping, report reveals

Smoking and Vaping Survey finds most residents back restrictions

The majority of Isle of Man residents support stricter rules on smoking and vaping, particularly measures to prevent young people from taking up the habits.

That’s according to a new survey by Island Global Research, which gathered responses from 4,388 people across the Isle of Man (1468), Jersey, Guernsey, and Gibraltar in April 2025.

On the Isle of Man, around two in five respondents said more should be done to reduce the harm caused by smoking and vaping. 

Around one in five felt “much more” action was needed on smoking, rising to almost three in ten for vaping.

Social acceptability

Only 38 percent of Manx residents said smoking outside in public is socially acceptable, slightly below Jersey (45 percent) and Guernsey (43 percent).

For vaping outside, 41 percent found it acceptable – again lower than other Crown Dependencies.

Half of Isle of Man residents said smoking in private homes is acceptable, compared with 56 percent who said the same of vaping in private homes. 

However, three-quarters disagreed that vaping inside public buildings is socially acceptable.

Older residents were consistently less likely to view smoking or vaping as acceptable in any setting, a trend mirrored across the other islands.

Concerns about health and environmental impacts

The survey found high levels of concern about both the health and environmental consequences of smoking and vaping.

On the Isle of Man:

• 57 percent were very concerned about the impact of smoking on others.
• 57 percent were very concerned about the cost of smoking to the health service.
• 50 percent were very concerned about the environmental impact of vaping.
• 48 percent were very concerned about vaping’s cost to healthcare.

These figures were closely aligned with Jersey and Guernsey, though Manx respondents placed slightly more emphasis on environmental impacts.

Tougher rules and youth prevention

The strongest support was for measures aimed at young people.

• 93 percent of Manx respondents supported new support schemes for schools to prevent vaping.
• 86 percent backed more public health campaigns about smoking and vaping targeted at young people.
• Around eight in ten supported stricter advertising and display restrictions on vape products.

There was also majority support for:

• Banning flavoured vapes (69 percent).
• Plain packaging (68 percent).
• Banning vaping outside in public (60 percent).
• Increasing taxes on tobacco and vapes (around 63-69 percent).

More than six in 10 backed the idea of a “smoke-free generation” by banning sales to anyone born in or after 2009.

These levels of support were comparable to Jersey and Guernsey, and higher than those recorded in Gibraltar.

In July 2024, proposals to amend legislation restricting nicotine products were referred to a scrutiny body.

Help and advice

Almost half of respondents (48 percent) on the Isle of Man said they would not know where to go for help if they or someone they knew wanted to quit smoking or vaping.

Among those who did know, the most commonly mentioned sources of support were GPs, Quit4You, pharmacies, and Motiv8.

Opinions on bans and personal freedoms

While many respondents called for total bans on smoking and vaping – particularly in public spaces or for disposable vapes – a significant minority emphasised freedom of choice.

Several argued that adults should retain the right to smoke or vape, while others cautioned that bans could create a black market or make vaping more appealing to young people.

Environmental concerns featured prominently, with many highlighting litter from disposable vapes and cigarette waste as inconsistent with the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere status.

Broader patterns

Across the Crown Dependencies, public opinion was strikingly similar:

• Around two in five residents in each jurisdiction said more should be done to tackle smoking and vaping.
• Roughly four in five supported youth-focused prevention campaigns.
• Fewer than half of respondents in any jurisdiction viewed smoking or vaping in public as socially acceptable.

The Isle of Man’s responses generally sat mid-range within the group - slightly less tolerant of public smoking and more concerned about vaping’s environmental footprint.