NHS Western Isles highlights concerns regarding youth vaping

Whilst the use of electronic cigarettes remains an extremely effective method to stop smoking, the growing use of vapes and e-cigarettes amongst those under the age of 18 in the UK is of significant concern in terms of the long term health of young people. 

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), or ‘vapes’ are battery-powered devices that heat liquid to create an inhalable vapour, rather than smoke. Nicotine is the primary addictive component of tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid that typically contains nicotine and flavourings among other chemicals. 

E-cigarettes are marketed heavily on social media, making them more appealing to young people, with the most popular flavours being fruit flavours, followed by sweet or soft drink flavours. 

E-cigarettes are a useful tool for public health and health services as a method to stop smoking and are strongly encouraged as an alternative to tobacco due to the reduced risks. However, there is growing concern that e-cigarettes are being marketed heavily towards children and young people who do not smoke, with their bright colours and range of attractive flavours, rather than smokers trying to quit. 

A review of single use vapes varied out by the Scottish Government earlier this year found that that, in the year ending January 2023, there were 543,000 vapers in Scotland – of which 51,000 (nine per cent) were under 16 and 78,000 (14 per cent) were under 18. 

ASH UK, meanwhile, found that underage vaping among those aged between 11–17 in the UK has increased in the last two years. The percentage of 11-17 year olds who admitted to having tried vaping has increased to nearly 16 per cent (compared to 11 per cent in 2021), and seven per cent of respondents to a youth survey in 2022 in the 11-17 cohort were current users (occasional and once a week or more) compared to 3.3 per cent in 2021.  

NHS Western Isles is concerned about these worrying trends and is reminding our communities of both the known and unknown risks to young people, and that it is illegal for retailers to sell nicotine vapes or tobacco products to under-18s, or for adults to buy them and give them to anyone under 18. The Health Board will be running a social media campaign during November to raise awareness of the risks, and to support young people to say ‘no’ to peer pressure. 

NHS Western Isles Chief Executive, Gordon Jamieson, said: “E-cigarettes are not risk free and are certainly not for children and young people whose developing lungs and brain are more sensitive to its effects. Whilst e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking for adults trying to stop smoking, vaping still exposes users to health risks and toxins and we don’t yet know what the full risks might be in the longer term.” 

E-cigarette use can have negative effects on respiratory health. Medical research has indicated that young people using e-cigarettes are twice as likely to suffer from a chronic cough than non-users. Vaping can reduce the function of the lungs via disturbance of gas exchange and tissue inflammation. It can also lower immunity, increasing the risk of respiratory infection. Lung damage due to vaping is referred to as e-cigarette or vaping associated lung injury (EVALI).  

Most vapes contain nicotine, which is an addictive toxin that can have detrimental health effects and that can be hard to stop once you have started. Nicotine poisoning can happen if larger doses are taken. Adolescents are more vulnerable to nicotine dependency than adults. Chronic nicotine exposure can impact brain development. This can contribute to cognitive and attention deficit conditions and worsen mood disorders including depression and suicidal thoughts.  

“We are concerned as a health service about indications that an increasing number of children and young people who have never smoked are taking up vaping,” said Mr Jamieson. “It’s important that children and their parents and carers are well informed about the risks of vaping and that parents talk to their children about the addictive and toxic dangers of vaping – answer their questions and try and support them to address any obstacles they may face in saying ‘no’ to vaping. 

“It’s also vital that an easy supply of e-cigarettes is not readily available to young people. It is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy them and give them to anyone under 18. If you are aware of a retailer selling either nicotine vapes or tobacco products to under-18s then you should report them to Trading Standards.” 

He added: “We also know that some disposable vapes on sale are illegal and do not meet UK safety regulations. They can contain high levels of harmful substances. Nicotine vaping products are covered by regulations to protect users, including maximum nicotine strength and bans on certain ingredients. But some disposable vapes on sale are illegal and don’t meet UK quality and safety regulations. It is impossible to know what’s actually in these products and how harmful they are.” 

Here in the Western Isles, our local Smoking Cessation service can provide support for those who would like to stop vaping as well as smoking tobacco.  

Please call 01851 701623 for a friendly, confidential chat with one of our advisors.