Parents warned vapes are not a 'harmless part of growing up' - and instead can cause serious health issues

Parents warned vapes are not a 'harmless part of growing up' - and instead can cause serious health issues The new review, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, saw experts from the college review all published studies involving health or social outcomes of vaping on children and young people Parents are being warned by leading children's doctors that vaping "should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up". A huge review says a "concerning picture is emerging" showing vapes are linked to higher rates of breathing problems in children and young people. Young people who vape are more likely to report coughs, wheezing, bronchitis symptoms and asthma flare ups. Their vape use is also linked to allergies, sleep issues, eye symptoms and damage to oral and dental health including inflammation and ulcers. It also has links to mental health problems including anxiety, depression and panic disorder. Vapes can help stop people stop smoking and are considered a less risky choice than cigarettes. But they are often packaged colourfully to target children and have massive choice of flavours including candy and bubblegum. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) - who carried out the ‘most comprehensive reviews to date’ - warn that long-term studies show young people who vape are significantly more likely to go on to smoke cigarettes. They are calling on the Government to put in place new rules to cut the number of flavours available and make them less tempting to children. Nearly one in ten secondary school pupils currently vape according to the Children’s Society and one in four 11 to 15 year old have tried vaping. The RCPCH said there is also evidence of harm in babies whose mothers vaped while pregnant, including abnormal reflexes, lower motor maturity, poorer self-regulation and higher risks of low weight gain. The new review, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, examined more than 14,000 published articles and looked at evidence from 81 studies. The Government in June launched a crackdown on vapes targeting kids with a shift to plain white packaging. There will also be restrictions on flavour names - to simple recognisable descriptions - and vape devices - to be white, black or grey. Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray, said: The evidence is clear: there are too many young people experimenting with vapes, attracted by the array of flavours, bright colours and marketing displays. "We want a healthier future for the next generation, so we must act now to reduce the appeal of addictive vapes to our children." New UK vaping laws, including a complete ban on single-use disposable vapes, first came into force in June 2025. But from October 29th this year, the age of sale for all vaping and nicotine products will be aged 18 and over. It will be an offence to sell these products to a person under the age of 18. Fines could be up to £2,500. It will also be an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to buy, or attempt to buy, vaping or nicotine products on behalf of a person under the age of 18. Government rules also require vape shops to obscure windows so products cannot be seen within 9.8ft (3m) of the door in a move designed to protect children "from exposure to the advertising of vaping". Co-author of the systematic review, Professor Will Carroll, welcomed these measures but said the Government “must go further.” “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. “...Current proposals will place restrictions on vape flavour names and packaging descriptions, moving away from enticing names inspired by sweets, desserts, and alcohol in favour of simple, factual names like 'apple'. “As paediatricians, we call on the Government to limit the types of flavours available, as opposed to just their descriptions.” RCPCH vice-president for policy, Dr Mike McKean, said: “Vaping is still a relatively new product, and there is much we do not yet know about its long-term impact on children and young people but a clear and concerning picture is emerging. "Continued research and monitoring essential if we are to properly understand the risks and respond to emerging evidence.” A spokesperson for The Children's Society said: "There is a concerning and widespread lack of awareness about what vapes actually contain – both legal and illegal. "We are increasingly seeing illegal vapes confiscated from children that contain Spice rather than the THC or the cannabis they're sold as. Spice is a powerful synthetic drug that can cause serious effects including dizziness, heart palpitations, and seizures. "Legal vapes carry risks too. A misunderstanding of how much nicotine they contain can drive heavier use and addiction. "Childhood vape addiction must be taken seriously, not only because of the health risks but also because dependency can be used to exploit and abuse children." Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health said: "The evidence remains clear that vaping is less harmful than smoking but is not risk free. The Government must use the powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Act to swiftly bring forward regulations to restrict the promotion of vapes to children while ensuring that adults who smoke can easily access vapes as a quit aid. As it was with tobacco, strong controls on marketing and promotion will be key to reducing youth vaping.”