Children as young as thirteen attempting to buy vapes, according to local shop
The largest global review of youth vaping shows links between vapes and an increased chance of smoking
Children as young as thirteen years old are attempting to buy vapes, according to a local shop.
It comes as the largest global review of youth vaping finds children who vape are more likely to go on to be smokers, be diagnosed with asthma and have poor mental health.
The study also pointed to links between vaping and increased odds of respiratory illness and substance abuse including drinking and marijuana use.
Callum Savill, Manager of Vaping not Smoking in Bicester, Dunstable and Milton Keynes says, “we had a child that was clearly under the age of like 14 come into one shop before.”
He added: “I actually had to kick the child out of the shop just because he was trying to chance it. He was very, very adamant he wasn't going to leave so, I had to politely show him the door.
“If you're getting kids as young as 13, being able to access vapes then I don't know what is going to be happening in the next few years. It's just it's not fair for anyone and it's it gives us a bad reputation.”
Mr Savill also says “nine times out of ten, the people who are under 18 that are trying to acquire a vape are going for the high nicotine.
“They shouldn’t be having that much, or any, amount of nicotine. It also starts an addiction from an early age, which is also a really big problem that we want to avoid.”
He added: “Anyone that we believe that looks under 18 just isn't allowed in the store. Obviously, we just check ID’s with challenge 25, but we're very strict and to adhering to that policy and making sure that things are actually followed by the book.”
Experts from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) analysed all available reviews on youth vaping - also known as an umbrella review.
Dr Su Golder, associate professor in health science at the University of York, said: "The consistency in the evidence is striking.
"Across multiple studies, young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke in the future. These findings support stronger public health measures to protect teens from the risks associated with vaping."