Doctors in Rutland are telling us children as young as 11 years old are vaping
New research shows children who vape are more likely to go on to be smokers, be diagnosed with asthma and have poor mental health
Doctors in Rutland are telling us children could be more impacted by vaping than anyone else.
It comes as new research shows children who vape are more likely to go on to be smokers and have poor mental health.
We don't know the long-term consequences of vaping
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.
Dr Adam Crowther, from the Leicestershire and Rutland Medical Committee, said:
"Vaping is not risk-free. We don't know the long-term consequences of vaping, and vaping is a nicotine addiction, and that causes problems."
"The risks associated with nicotine addiction and the use of nicotine in younger people are a problem whether it is smoking or vaping."
"While children have a developing brain, if you're exposing it to any addictive chemical, that makes it more likely you're going to be addicted to other substances."
"There's also other related issues such as anxiety and depression and concentration issues."
The use of nicotine in younger people is a problem whether it is smoking or vaping
Experts from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) analysed all available reviews on youth vaping - also known as an umbrella review.
This including 56 reviews on 384 studies.
Some 21 of these looked at use of e-cigarettes among young people and later cigarette smoking.
Not only were vapers more likely to smoke in later life, they were also more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely, experts said.
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.
Other harmful outcomes linked to youth vaping included pneumonia, bronchitis, lower total sperm counts, dizziness, headaches and migraines.
There was also a link identified between depression and suicidal thoughts among young vapers.