My Journey on the Stop Smoking and Vaping Board: A Youth Voice for a Smoke-Free London

By Maisha Sumah

Hi, my name is Maisha Sumah, and I’ve been part of the Stop Smoking and Vaping Board—a unique, youth-led initiative by Partnership for Young London in collaboration with the London Tobacco Alliance. Our mission has been incredibly powerful: to amplify youth voices in shaping a London where future generations aren’t surrounded by tobacco or vaping-related harm.

When I first joined, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had a general interest in mental health and the harms of vaping on young people, as well as curiosity about what the new bill actually meant. At the time, I didn’t fully understand how deeply smoking and vaping affected young people across the capital. Now, I can confidently say this project has not only expanded my knowledge, but also given me a platform to be part of something that could shape the future health of my generation.

Research That Made a Difference

One of the highlights of my time on the board was taking part in interviews with senior leaders in tobacco control and healthcare. These interviews helped inform a report on the UK government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a policy aiming to create a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 2008.

I had the opportunity to speak with professionals with decades of experience. What stood out was how much they genuinely valued our perspective as young people. It wasn’t just about collecting data—they really listened. They wanted to know how we thought the bill would affect our peers, how we viewed the rise in vaping, and what we thought about packaging, advertising, and youth culture. Their responses were thoughtful and often mind-opening.

I remember one conversation in particular where we asked: “To what extent do you think social media and peer influence affect young people’s decisions to smoke or vape?” The answer was eye-opening. One expert explained that platforms like TikTok and Instagram—often seen as entertainment hubs—are also unregulated advertising spaces for vaping culture. Even without direct promotions, trends, influencer content, and the casual aesthetic of vaping in videos help normalise its use.

This completely changed how I viewed the issue—not just as a health concern, but as a marketing and cultural phenomenon. It highlighted the need for stronger regulations on online advertising, especially since so many young people spend hours on these platforms and are easily influenced by what they see.

What We Learned About the Bill

As a board, we delved deep into the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. While we supported its goal of creating a smoke-free generation, we also identified several challenges around implementation.

One major concern was enforcement. How do you realistically stop the sale of tobacco or vapes to under-18s—let alone to people born after 2008—when access through informal networks or online platforms is already so easy?

Another challenge was addressing misinformation. Many young people believe that vaping is harmless or “just water vapour.” The variety of flavours and colourful, candy-like packaging makes it even more appealing. Some are also drawn in by the validation they get from peers and the aesthetic vaping creates on social media.

We also recognised that while banning disposable vapes could reduce waste and limit access, it might unintentionally push some young people toward stronger, refillable devices—or even back to cigarettes. These are the kinds of complex, unintended consequences that good policy needs to consider.

Reflections and Moving Forward

Being on the Stop Smoking and Vaping Board has shown me how essential youth involvement is in shaping public policy. We’re the ones most affected by these decisions, so we should have a say in them. I’ve learned how to conduct interviews, ask critical questions, and think holistically about health and human behaviour.

This experience has boosted my confidence in making a difference. I’ve seen how effective partnerships between youth organisations and health alliances can be. And I’ve learned that when young people speak up—whether through interviews, reports, or community sessions—we can truly shift perspectives and policy.

As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill evolves, I hope our input as youth board members serves as a reminder that this work isn’t just about legislation. It’s about culture, community, and care.

Thank you to Partnership for Young London and the London Tobacco Alliance for giving us the space to lead, learn, and be heard. I’m proud to have been part of this journey—and I know it’s only the beginning.