Think your child is secretly vaping? Experts reveals the most common hiding spots for e-cigarettes - including inside stuffed toys

As rates of teenage vaping skyrocket, many parents will be left wondering whether their child has developed a secret habit.

While it remains illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to buy e–cigarettes in the UK, this often doesn't stop them getting their hands on these products.

Children who regularly vape are three times more likely to become smokers later in life, reports suggest, while studies have linked the habit to respiratory illness and substance abuse.

Meanwhile data from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) indicates vaping has tripled among children since 2021.

But where might your teen be keeping their covert stash?

Experts have analysed dozens of TikTok videos detailing where and how to hide vapes or small items.

The advice is designed to help their peers avoid being caught by parents, featuring sneaky spots that Mum and Dad might not think to check.

So, do any of these surprise you?

A team from Provape analysed 50 TikTok videos and found the most common piece of advice is to hide your vape inside or in–between unused clothes.

Hiding small items behind paintings, canvases and posters was the second most common location, with videos often suggesting taping the item to the inside of a wall canvas frame to use the dead space.

Placing items inside a pillow or pillowcase ranked third, followed by hiding them in or around bedroom drawers – often taped to the inside.

Stashing vapes under mattresses or bed frames was also mentioned in a fifth of videos, with users tucking items between the mattress and bed frame slats.

TikTok users also suggested hiding vapes inside stuffed toys, glasses cases, jewellery boxes or empty skincare and perfume bottles.

Other hiding spots included inside plants or fake books, taped behind fixtures like ceiling fans or TVs, and in hollow hairbrushes – some even designed specifically to store vapes.

'While vapes can be hidden almost anywhere, it isn't recommended that you raid your child's room in an attempt to find them,' Joe Tucker, COO of Provape, said.

'There are other signs that your teenager might be vaping – such as the language they use online.'

TikTok has prohibited the promotion, sale or trade of vaping products on its platform, but sellers have come up with clever ways to bypass the censor.

They often disguise vapes as harmless products like lip gloss or sweets, using hashtags such as #elfbundles, #puffbars, #geekbar, #elfbar, and red–flag tags like #discreetshipping, #hiddennic and #noID.

These products may arrive concealed in items like sealed hair scrunchies, Mr Tucker revealed.

If you think your child is vaping it's best not to accuse them directly, he added.

'Use a news story to start a natural conversation, asking their thoughts and explaining the risks in a straightforward, non–judgmental way,' he said.

'Show care and sensitivity so your child feels safe opening up. Confiscating or banning vapes may cause rebellion or distrust.

'Instead, create a supportive environment that encourages communication and informed decision–making. This helps address the root causes and guides your child toward healthier choices.

'If your child is adamant about vaping, there is no guaranteed way to make them stop. What you can do, though, is create a supportive environment that fosters communication, awareness and good decision–making.

'With these things in mind, you may be able to get to the root cause of your child's vaping and give them the tools to lead healthier lives.'

Earlier this week, academics warned that vapes are 'compromising children's human rights' as they called for more regulation of e–cigarettes.

Experts said some children are missing lessons to vape and are unable to concentrate in classrooms due to nicotine dependence.

In a new analysis, published in The BMJ, a team of researchers from the UK, Australia and the Netherlands, highlight how teenagers are 'particularly sensitive' to nicotine exposure, which 'may have long–term effects on attention, cognition, memory and mood'.

They are also more susceptible to nicotine addiction, which can lead to more problems with addiction and substance abuse in later life, the group said.