Children who vape ‘three times more likely to go on to smoke’
Children who vape are more likely to go on to be smokers, be diagnosed with asthma and have poor mental health, a new global analysis suggests
Children who vape are more likely to go on to be smokers, be diagnosed with asthma and have poor mental health, a new analysis suggests.
The largest global review on vaping in young people found "consistent evidence" that children who vape are three times more likely to go on to become smokers.
The study also pointed to links between vaping and increased odds of respiratory illness and substance abuse including drinking and marijuana use.
PHW: "We certainly have seen, in Wales, a rise in those who are only vaping."
Chris Emmerson, a consultant in tobacco and vapes for Public Health Wales says he's noticing a rise in child vapers across the country.
"We certainly have seen, in Wales, a rise in those who are only vaping as opposed to those who are doing both smoking and vaping.
"This report means we've got to really make sure that we are focusing on those young people who are vaping, making sure they understand what the harms are, giving them the support they need.
"What's really going to make a difference here is the work that's going on to restrict access and restrict the appeal of these devices."
Experts from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) analysed all available reviews on youth vaping.
Not only were vapers more likely to smoke in later life, they were also more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely, experts said.
Breathing problems affected by long-term vaping:
Researchers also tracked breathing problems linked to youth vaping.
The data suggested an increased risk among young people who vape of developing asthma or asthma exacerbation.
Chis continues detailing the heightened health risks a child vaper may be at risk of.
"Well, we already had some very good evidence that vaping, particularly if people were doing it every day, was causing some of those short term respiratory issues: coughs, people feeling breathless, also things like headaches and nausea.
"One of our big concerns about vaping, particularly with children and young people, is people becoming heavily dependent on nicotine. "
Writing in the journal Tobacco Control, the authors said the data available "consistently indicated a significant association between e-cigarette use and later cigarette smoking in young people".
They said that it is difficult to "infer causality" from their review, but said the "repeated strong associations in prospective cohort studies are consistent with a causal relationship".
Smoke-free areas in Wales:
Looking to the future, Chris believes there needs to be a further push into 'smoke-free' areas, such as playgrounds, schools etc.
"What we really need to get to as a society is a point where we don't see smoking as acceptable and we see vaping as something that's only of any value to adults who might be wanting to quit.
"There is a lot of work that's been done to make sure that areas where children are, particularly places like playgrounds, schools and places like that, are places where young people don't see smoking and don't think that it's something normal to do."
Advice for parents concerned about their children vaping can be found here.
In June the ban on disposable vapes was introduced in a bid to curb their use among young people.
The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer - ranging from corner shops to supermarkets - to sell them.
The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine.