Doctor concerned about use of high strength vapes
New figures suggest 33% of vapers use the highest strength vapes they can get
Last updated 20th Jun 2024
A Leeds doctor has responded to University College London statistics which suggest 33% of vapers use the highest strength vapes they can legally get.
That figure is from June 2021 to January 2024.
It is an increase from 3.8% between July 2016 and June 2021.
“We are really worried,” said Dr Richard Vautrey, a GP in Leeds.
Most of these high-strength vapes are e-cigarettes containing nicotine at the top end of the legal limit - 20mg/ml.
The research claims the majority of these vape users are aged between 18 and 24.
“One of our concerns is about the long-term consequences of vaping,
“Particularly on developing lungs and what that impact could be in 20-30 years’ time,” said Dr Vautrey.
Despite this rise, University College London warned that taxing vapes based on their nicotine strength could have ‘unintended consequences’.
Dr Sharon Cox from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care said that if a higher tax were to be introduced, a person would simply vape more at a lower strength.
“A person with nicotine dependence will alter their behaviour to get the required nicotine dose in their system,” shared Dr Cox.
Furthermore, Dr Sarah Jackson, from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care explained that higher-strength nicotine products are the most effective way to quit.
She said raising prices would make this option less affordable.
Instead, Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) and a co-author of the study offered an alternative solution, particularly for those vaping underage:
"Curbing underage vaping can best be achieved by making all vapes less appealing and increasing the price at point of sale, whatever their nicotine content,” said Arnott.