Youth Assembly backs vape ban, but narrowly rejects social media ban

Students who meet regularly to discuss issues affecting them and the island have held their annual debate in the States Chamber.

The 24 young people took the seats usually occupied by the island's parliamentarians to debate two proposals.

The first was whether vapes should be available by prescription only for those seeking to quit smoking cigarettes.

There were speeches for and against the suggestion:

"Vaping was meant to be a controlled tool to help smokers quit, but by keeping it as a retail product we have handed it over to corporations to market, brand and profit from addiction itself."

"If vapes become impossible to obtain without a prescription, many users may turn back to cigarettes."

The teenagers took a vote, which fell 14-9 in favour of a vape ban, with one person abstaining.

The next topic of discussion was whether social media should be banned for under 16s.  Australia introduced a ban in December 2025 and many countries, including the UK, are considering similar legislation to protect young people from digital harms.

Earlier this year, ministers in Jersey indicated they support the principle.

Ministers back principle of social media 'restrictions' for under 16s

The students in the Youth Assembly voiced opposing views:

"Studies show that teenagers can focus on studying for only 14 minutes before being distracted by their phone."

"Unlike traditional bullying, cyber-bullying can follow someone everywhere - into their homes, their bedrooms and even late at night."

"When we remove young people from social media entirely, we do not simply limit screen-time, we limit voices, access to information and the ability to participate in modern civic and political life."

The social media ban was rejected by a single vote, 11 -12, with 1 abstention.

The JYA members also had an opportunity to question the ministers for Justice, Infrastructure and Health, and Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham.

Penelope asked the Chief Minister if  - since the voting age is 16  - political education would become compulsory in schools.  He replied:

"The number of young people is very low.  I think the latest figures are that only 17% of people aged between 16 and 30 turnout at the elections and I think one of the solutions to that is providing better education."

Following the sitting, Molly Gladwin, Education Manager at the States Greffe, said:

"The JYA Members take their role seriously and have worked hard to formulate excellent questions to put to government Ministers.

"The debate topics that Members chose for today’s meeting – vaping and access to social media for under 16s – are complex and timely, and it’s testament to the young people that they aren't at all phased by getting stuck into the same matters that are currently being tackled by elected parliaments globally.”

The JHA has 160 teenagers signed up, with around 50 attending meetings regularly.