Concerns have been raised about the increasing number of young people in Renfrewshire turning to electronic cigarettes.
E-cigarettes - also known as vapes - are seen as being less harmful than cigarettes and can help you quit smoking for good.
Action on Smoking and Health Scotland (ASH Scotland) found, in a recent study, that an estimated 4.3million people across Scotland, England and Wales are 'active vapers'.
The report suggests that 8.3 per cent of adults, including young adults, in across Great Britain vape.
There has also been a rise in the number of young people who have never smoked taking up the dangerous habit.
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The study found that the number of those who had never smoked, but who started smoking vapes, was 350,000.
The brightly coloured, strongly flavoured and disposable vapes grab many people’s attention and this has led to concerns for health and the environment.
Young Renfrewshire residents can buy vapes cheaper than a normal packet of cigarettes from local shops as, according to ASH Scotland, the monthly cost of e-liquids is around £56, compared to the £250 per month that cigarette smokers will spend.
A NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “While the general consensus is that vapes, or e-cigarettes, are much less harmful than smoking, we don’t yet know the long-term impact of vaping on health, and many vape products contain nicotine which is highly addictive.
"Vaping products are definitely unsuitable for under-18’s and not recommended for any non-smokers.”
The Scottish Public Health Observatory states that an estimated 2 per cent of Scottish 13-year-olds and 15 per cent of 15-year-olds were regular smokers - usually smoking at least one cigarette a week - as per a 2018 study.
It was estimated that 29 per cent of 15-year-olds who regularly smoke would like to give up, 34 per cent did not want to give up, while the remaining 37 per cent did not know if they wanted to give up.
Smoking any form of tobacco, whether that be in the form of a cigarette or vape, has some negative effects on the growing bodies of young people.
Young people’s brains are still developing and due to this, they are more likely to become addicted to nicotine, according to ASH Scotland.
The earlier a person starts smoking, the more damage that will eventually occur over a long period of time and as young people’s lungs are still developing, those who smoke regularly are more likely to develop lung cancer.
The NHS spokesperson added: “There is some research to suggest nicotine can have a negative impact on brain development in young people.
Uptake of vaping by non-tobacco users is likely to be associated with adverse health effects which the user would not otherwise have been exposed to, for example some studies have reported the presence of other constituents in e-liquids, including contaminants and impurities.
In addition, some reports suggest that e-liquid contents are not always true-to-label including nicotine being found in liquids reported to not contain it.”
For more information about the dangers of smoking and to seek advice to stop smoking, visit: www.ashscotland.org.uk/
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