Children's doctors have issued a warning that young individuals who begin vaping are at an increased risk of developing breathing difficulties and subsequently taking up smoking cigarettes.

According to a thorough review of available evidence conducted by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, youth vaping is consistently associated with adverse respiratory health outcomes. These include symptoms like coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, and worsening of asthma. Furthermore, the review indicates that vapes can serve as a gateway to traditional cigarette smoking.

Professor Will Carroll, a co-author of the review, emphasized that "Vaping should not be perceived as a benign aspect of adolescence." He highlighted that the evidence clearly demonstrates connections to respiratory symptoms, nicotine addiction, and subsequent cigarette use, while concerns regarding broader impacts on young people's well-being continue to grow.

Professor Carroll urged the government to swiftly implement the new measures announced in July under the Tobacco and Vapes Act. These measures include plain packaging, relocating vapes to less visible positions in shops, and restricting vape flavor names to move away from those that mimic sweets, desserts, and alcohol, in favor of simpler names like "apple."

He also advocated for the government to go further by limiting the range of available flavors.

Vaping has experienced a significant surge in popularity over the last decade, with experimentation and regular use among young people increasing approximately tenfold, often commencing during adolescence. It is estimated that one in five individuals aged 11-17 in Britain have tried vaping.

Cardiologists, researchers, and health experts have expressed "extreme concern" regarding the detrimental effects of e-cigarettes on millions of teenagers and young adults globally, including exposure to toxins and carcinogens.

The review, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood and encompassing 14,000 published articles and 81 studies, also identified evidence linking vaping to poor oral and dental health, such as inflammation, ulcers, and dry mouth. Additionally, negative mental health outcomes like anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation were noted.

Emerging evidence points to potential impacts on sleep, eye health, and allergies, as well as adverse outcomes for infants exposed to nicotine during pregnancy.

Dr. Mike McKean, the RCPCH vice-president for policy, stated that given vaping is a relatively new product, "there is much we do not yet know about its long-term impact on children and young people."

He added, "However, a clear and concerning picture is emerging. Continued research and monitoring are essential if we are to properly understand the risks and respond to emerging evidence."

"The Tobacco and Vapes Act is an important step towards protecting children from nicotine addiction, but it must not be seen as a one-and-done solution. We need to keep pace with a rapidly evolving market and continue to take action to protect children from nicotine products that are deliberately made and marketed to appeal to them."

Andrew McCracken, director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, called for more research into the impact of vaping and a more rapid response from policymakers to safeguard children's lungs, which he stated are "paying the price" for vape manufacturers' targeted marketing through products designed to resemble sweets.

"Urgent action is needed to halt the blatant marketing of vapes to children. While vapes can play a role for current smokers looking to quit, anyone who does not smoke should not vape, and this is particularly true for children," he commented.

"More research on the impact of vaping is required, and as our understanding develops, policymakers must be prepared to adapt and implement measures to protect people's lungs."

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, stated that regulations to restrict vape promotion to children should not impede adult smokers' access to vapes for quitting. "As was the case with tobacco, strong controls on marketing and promotion will be key to reducing youth vaping," she remarked.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated, "Children should never vape, and this evidence illustrates just some of the associated risks."

"We have already banned single-use vapes and have legislated to prohibit advertising and sponsorship from next year. We are also consulting on proposals to crack down on packaging that appeals to children."

"Through the Tobacco and Vapes Act, this government will protect children and young people from the potential harms of vaping, smoking, and the risks of nicotine addiction, and create the UK's first ever smoke-free generation."

English Translation:

Young Vapers 'at Risk of Breathing Problems and Becoming Smokers'

Children's doctors have warned that young people who start vaping risk developing breathing problems and going on to smoke cigarettes.

Youth vaping is consistently linked to poor respiratory health, including coughing, wheezing, bronchitis symptoms, and asthma exacerbations. Vapes have also been shown to act as a gateway to smoking cigarettes, according to one of the most comprehensive reviews of available evidence conducted by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

Professor Will Carroll, a co-author of the review, stated: "Vaping should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up. The evidence shows clear links with respiratory symptoms, nicotine dependence, and subsequent cigarette smoking, while concerns about wider impacts on young people’s health continue to grow."

He urged the government to quickly implement the new measures announced in July under the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which include plain packaging, moving vapes out of sight in shops, and restrictions on vape flavor names to move away from names inspired by sweets, desserts, and alcohol in favor of simpler names such as "apple."

Carroll also called on the government to go further, including by limiting the number of flavors available.

Vaping has surged in popularity over the past decade, with rates of experimentation and regular use among young people increasing about tenfold, and use often beginning in adolescence. An estimated one in five 11-17-year-olds in Britain have tried vaping.

Cardiologists, researchers, and health experts have said they are "extremely concerned" about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes on millions of teenagers and young people around the world, including exposure to toxins and carcinogens.

The review, which is published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood and looked at 14,000 published articles and 81 studies, also identified evidence linking vaping to poor oral and dental health, including inflammation, ulcers, and dry mouths; and negative mental health outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Emerging evidence indicated potential impacts on sleep, eye health, and allergies, and adverse outcomes associated with infants and babies exposed to nicotine during pregnancy.

The RCPCH vice-president for policy, Dr Mike McKean, said that as vaping was a relatively new product, "there is much we do not yet know about its long-term impact on children and young people."

He added: "But a clear and concerning picture is emerging. Continued research and monitoring are essential if we are to properly understand the risks and respond to emerging evidence.

"The Tobacco and Vapes Act is an important step towards protecting children from nicotine addiction, but it must not be seen as a one-and-done solution. We need to keep pace with a rapidly evolving market and continue to take action to protect children from nicotine products that are deliberately made and marketed to appeal to them."

Andrew McCracken, the director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, called for more research on the impact of vaping, and a quicker response from policymakers to protect children’s lungs, which he said were "paying the price" for vape manufacturers’ targeting through products designed to look and taste like sweets.

"Urgent action is needed to stop the brazen marketing of vapes to children. Vapes can play an important role for current smokers looking to quit, but anyone who doesn’t smoke shouldn’t vape, and that is especially true for children," he said.

"More research on the impact of vaping is needed, and as our understanding develops, policymakers need to be ready to adapt and put in place measures to protect people’s lungs."

Hazel Cheeseman, the chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said that regulations to restrict the promotion of vapes to children should not make it difficult for adult smokers to access vapes to help them quit. "As it was with tobacco, strong controls on marketing and promotion will be key to reducing youth vaping," she said.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Children should never vape and this evidence shows just some of the risks associated.

"We have already banned single-use vapes and have legislated to ban advertising and sponsorship from next year too. We’re also consulting on proposals to crack down on packaging that appeals to children.

"Through the Tobacco and Vapes Act, this government will protect children and young people from the potential harms of vaping, smoking and risks of nicotine addiction and create the UK’s first ever smoke-free generation."