WHAT IS VAPING?
Vaping is the use of an electronic device to inhale vapour derived from a heated liquid. The main ingredients are vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol, but most e-liquids also contain nicotine, which must be no more than 2% or 20mg per ml, as well as small amounts of flavourings
and sweeteners.
SMOKING VS VAPING
Smoking is much more harmful than vaping. Tobacco smoke contains carbon monoxide and tar, a sticky soup of around 250 toxic chemicals, 69 of which are known to be carcinogenic, causing disease, disability, and early death.
HOWEVER, VAPES ARE NOT HARMLESS
Short-term effects can include:
• coughing
• headaches
• dizziness, and
• sore throats.
Long-term effects are,as yet, unknown.
WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS WITH VAPING AND CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE?
Most children and young people don’t vape or smoke. However, in 2022 the number of 11-17-year-olds in Great Britain currently using vapes rose to 7% compared to 4% in 2020. Whilst this increase is concerning, it is important to note that most vaping is experimental, with regular vaping mainly confined to children who currently smoke or have done in the past. The increase in youth vaping has coincided with the arrival on the UK market of a new category of cheap and attractive disposable vapes that have proven particularly popular with children and young people and have been promoted extensively on social media. We are working hard nationally and locally to address these issues.
HOW DO VAPES HELP SMOKERS QUIT?
Like nicotine patches and gum, vapes containing nicotine are a useful aid to quitting as they deal with the cravings smokers get when they try to stop. Nicotine vapes are proven effective and have become the most popular quitting aid for smokers in recent years. However, vapes are not recommended for non-smokers, particularly children.
THE LAW AND VAPING
Vapes and vaping products containing nicotine, like tobacco, are age restricted. It’s illegal to sell them to under 18s, and for adults to buy them on their behalf. If you know of anyone who does sell vapes or tobacco illegally, you can report them to trading standards through the Citizens Advice online portal: citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer
Advertising of all tobacco products is illegal, but if you see advertising for vapes that you feel is trying to encourage children and young people to try vaping, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority: asa.org.uk
For more information about vapes and stopping smoking, visit the One You Merton website: Quit Smoking or call 020 8973 3545.
Children and Young people can find out more information on vaping on the FRANK website: talktofrank.com/drug/vapes
Or read the ASH Briefing: ash.org.uk/uploads/ASH-brieffor-local-authorities-on-youthvaping.pdf
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