RCPCH Reviews 81 Studies, Urges UK to Tighten Vape Rules for Children

2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 20

An RCPCH review of 81 studies found vaping in children and young people is linked to breathing problems, poor oral and dental health, poor sleep, mental health issues and eye symptoms.
The doctors said the evidence also points to nicotine dependence, later cigarette smoking and harm to babies when mothers vape during pregnancy, warning vaping is not a harmless part of growing up.
The college urged the UK government to go beyond current plans by limiting vape flavours themselves, not just flavour descriptions, to make products less attractive and accessible to children.
That push lands during a 12-week government consultation on plain packaging, restricted branding and keeping vapes out of sight in shops, after the Tobacco and Vapes Act created a smoke-free generation policy.
The debate comes as almost 1 in 5 Britons aged 11 to 17 have tried vaping, while health officials and charities still say vapes are less harmful than smoking but not risk-free.