NEWS
6 ASIAN TRADER 30 MAY 2025
New research published by
the Public Health Agency
Northern Ireland has laid
bare the prevalence of
e-cigarette use among
young people, with nearly
half (46%) of Year 14 pupils
identified as current
vapers.
The “Behavioural
insights into youth vaping
in Northern Ireland”
report, which surveyed over
7,500 students aged 11-18 across
91 post-primary schools, ofers
critical insights into the
motivations, perceptions, and
experiences of young people
regarding vaping and tobacco
use.
The study revealed a stark
increase in vaping prevalence
with age, with Year 14 pupils
being ten times more likely to
vape than those in Year 8 (4%).
Overall, 15% of young people
reported currently using vapes.
The majority of vapers (76%)
had never smoked traditional
cigarettes before trying an e-cig-
arette, and a significant 33% of
these “never-smokers” have
since experimented with
cigarettes.
Peer influence and curiosity
were identified as the primary
drivers for young people
initiating vaping, with 57%
stating they did so “because
most other people are doing it.”
The desire to appear “cool” and
the general popularity of
vaping were also
significant factors.
Among current vapers,
the initial curiosity of
trying a vape remained a
key motivator.
The report also
highlighted the ease of
access to vapes for young
people, revealing that
friends and family were
the most common enablers.
Furthermore, it found sharing
of vapes was widespread, with
nearly three-quarters of
ever-vapers admitting to
sharing their devices.
A concerning number of
young people (around 40% of
ever-vapers) reported experi-
encing side efects such as
headaches, dizziness, breath-
lessness, coughing, anxiety/
stress, nausea, and increased
heart rate and tiredness.
Kids hufÏng their way through high school, study finds
Nearly half of year 14 pupils
Nearly half of year 14 pupils
in NI are current vapers
in NI are current vapers
Retailers are desperate-
ly trying to battle back
against the influx of
theft in stores as the
shop theft epidemic in
the UK continues to
accelerate, with24% of
UK customers witness-
ing shoplifting while
shopping over the last
12 months, according to
BRC.
Asda recently an-
nounced the trial of facial
recognition technology,
comparing facial images to
a list of known offenders.
When a match is detected,
Asda’s head office security
team will be alerted for
further processing.
The trial received a
mixed reception, with
complaints that it turned
innocent shoppers into
suspects, leading to false
accusations. Other retail-
ers had faced similar
responses following
previous trials.
Rolf Whiteman, Sales
Director at Harrison
Retail, commented:
“Retailers should look to
balance technolo-
gy-driven anti-theft
solutions with less
invasive POS loss
prevention solutions to
maintain customer
satisfaction and
safeguard products.
“Gravity risers,
dispenser solutions, Free
Standing Display Unit (FSDU)
Surrounds and customised
dispenser solutions limit
thieves’ accessibility to
high-value merchandise such
as meat joints and baby
formula, acting as a deterrent
and reducing stock loss,”
added Whiteman.
“UK retailers must do
everything possible to
protect their customers.”
Retailers call for ‘less invasive’
anti-theft measures in-store
Lucozade Energy
Lucozade Energy
eco-friendly makeover
eco-friendly makeover
Lucozade producer Suntory
Beverage & Food (SBF) GB&I has
invested £6.3m in a major packaging
redesign for Lucozade Energy
bottles, significantly reducing plastic
use and supporting recycling of its
bottles.
Bottles will now feature a
half-sleeve that covers just 50% of
the bottle height compared to
previous full-length. This would lead
to a 60% reduction in total sleeve
weight, removing 956 tonnes of new
plastic per year. The changes also
reduce water use during production,
equivalent to an Olympic-sized
swimming pool every 289 days.
Premier Foods strong
Premier Foods strong
results as consumers
results as consumers
trade up
trade up
Mr Kipling and Ambrosia-maker
Premier Foods saw sales top £1bn last
year as its “premiumisation strategy”
helped lift volumes.
Excluding disposals, total headline
revenue grew 3.5% to £1.15bn over the
year to 29 March, driven by branded
revenues, which grew 5.2% to £1.01bn.
Non-branded revenue slid 7.2% to
£139.7bn, partly as a result of contract
exits and lower volumes.
Total headline grocery branded
revenue was up by 4.6% while sweet
treats branded revenue grew by 7.3%,
and Trading profit rose 6%.
Survey reveals positive
Survey reveals positive
opinion of flavoured
opinion of flavoured
vodka
vodka
Flavoured vodka is “on the cusp of a
transformation”, recent research has
shown. Ricky Gervais-backed Dutch
Barn asked questions on its Instagram
page regarding consumers’ views on
flavoured vodka. 88% of respondents
stated that they would give flavoured
vodkas a “shot” if it was known that
the product wasn’t cheaply made
with artificial flavours and tasted
good. 60% believe current flavours
tasted artificial, assuming them to be
loaded with sweeteners, synthetic
flavourings and sugar.
The survey comes after Dutch
Barn released a new flavour last week,
British Raspberry Vodka.