Schoolchildren will be warned of the dangers of vaping during National Prevention Week, which starts on Sunday.

The Department for National Drug Control will hold educational sessions on the dangers and consequences of e-cigarettes and vaping.

According to a government spokeswoman, the DNDC prevention unit has been working in the community to raise awareness of substance misuse and mental health issues, the importance of implementing prevention strategies and evidence-based programming within the community. This year the unit is focusing on vaping.

A 2019 school survey conducted by the DNDC showed that more than one in five teenagers had tried vaping.

The spokeswoman added: “These battery-powered smoking devices are filled with liquids such as nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals that are sometimes unknown to the user. Vaping is trending among young people.

“These colourful pop culture devices are designed to attract attention and appeal to young people.”