EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING

E-cigarettes have never been more popular but vaping isn’t the risk-free alternative to smoking that people might think it is

- JOAN MCFADDEN

Clouds of sickly-sweet vapour waft at us outside cinemas and restaurants, while we’re walking along the street and even outside schools at pick-up time. Until June 2021, vaping had been declining, but with disposable vapes becoming popular – even though they are due to be banned next year – vaping has increased across all age groups, especially 18- to 24-year-olds.

This is despite the UK’s Smokefree Generation policy aiming to create a generation that will never be able to legally buy tobacco products. The age of sale for cigarettes will increase by one year each year from 2027, so anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never be able to legally buy tobacco products in the UK.

For older adults, vaping has undoubtedly helped many to stop smoking, but there are myths around it. Assuming it’s completely harmless is common, but while current evidence suggests vapes are less harmful than smoking, they aren’t without risk. Most vapes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other ingredients such as propylene glycol, glycerine and flavourings.

“At the end of the day, vaping is far from risk-free and very often addictive,” says Dr Mike McKean, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. “I’m concerned we have allowed e-cigarette companies free rein to target our children with these brightly coloured, flavoured, appealing and potentially damaging products.

“The Tobacco and Vapes Bill [which aims to create the Smokefree Generation] is now a matter of urgency for the health of our children and young people.

“We need our government to have the necessary powers to regulate these products and companies, to protect children and young people by implementing a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, limiting flavours, introducing plain packaging and restricting advertisements both online and in stores.”

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