Leading paediatricians have called on the Government to take urgent action to ban disposable vapes in a bid to protect children amid an emerging "epidemic" of youth vaping.
In response to the Government consultation on e-cigarettes, which closes on Tuesday, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) warned that e-cigarettes "are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so than traditional cigarettes". Doctors warned that because e-cigarettes have only been on sale in the UK since 2007, the long-term effects they may have on a person's health is not yet known.
"We have even less evidence on the long-term impacts of these products on young lungs, hearts and brains," the RCPCH cautioned. "It took experts decades to fully understand the impact of traditional cigarettes, we cannot risk our children's health in waiting this long again for longer-term studies."
Data released last month for Action on Smoking and Health revealed that there has been a 50% rise in the proportion of UK children trying vaping within the past year, despite it being illegal to sell vapes to under-18s. Children were asked if they had ever tried vaping once or twice, with the proportion who answered yes roughly doubling in nine years from 5.6% in 2014 to 11.6%.
In 2022, disposable vapes became the most used form of e-cigarettes among youngsters, accounting for 52% of youth vaping, a proportion which has since grown to 69% in 2023. RCPH vice president for policy and paediatric respiratory consultant, Dr Mike McKean, said: "Without a doubt, disposable e-cigarettes should be banned.
"There is absolutely no reason that these cheap, readily available, brightly coloured, recreational products should be single use. Youth vaping is fast becoming an epidemic among children, and I fear that if action is not taken, we will find ourselves sleepwalking into a crisis."
Dr McKean added: "Westminster's approach to this problem is out of step with even our closest neighbours, with countries such as Scotland, France, Germany, and Ireland all seriously considering a ban. The Government in Westminster has the responsibility and capability to make a choice that will have far-reaching consequences, potentially for generations to come."
In response to the Government's consultation, Action on Smoking and Health also urged ministers to introduce "high-impact interventions" including a specific £5 tax on disposable vapes and a ban on branding that would appeal to children. It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said a new Government crackdown on vape marketing will prevent the "unacceptable" targeting of children and young people, with a pledge to close a loophole allowing retailers to give free samples of vapes to children in England.
The Government has said that there will also be a review into banning retailers selling "nicotine-free" vapes to under-18s. A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "It is illegal to sell nicotine vapes to children and we are concerned about the recent rises in youth vaping – particularly because of the unknown long-term harms.
"We are taking bold action to crack down on youth vaping through the £3 million illicit vapes enforcement squad to tackle underage sales to children. We have also launched a call for evidence to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vape products and explore where the Government can go further."
READ NEXT:
