Child vapers in Kent three times more likely to become smokers
A Kent vape shop owner tells us young people are still getting their hands on disposable vapes despite the ban
A Kent vape shop owner who started his company after his son was diagnosed with cancer tells us kids are still getting their hands on disposable vapes in Kent despite the ban coming in on the first of June.
It's as a new study reveals children who vape are three times more likely to go on to become smokers.
They're also more likely to have asthma and poor mental health later in life, according to research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of York.
Dean XXX started JTs e-cigarettes after his son was diagnosed with lung cancer.
He tells Greatest Hits Radio "we are extremely anti-disposables".
"I just think they are terrible for kids, and people are still getting their hands on them."
Dean's son was diagnosed with cancer in XXX
He also started a wholesale vape distributor called Mixlabs based in Tunbridge Wells.
Not only are vapers more likely to smoke in later life, they are also more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely, experts said.
Researchers also tracked breathing problems linked to youth vaping, with data suggesting an increased risk of developing asthma.
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.
Dr Su Golder, associate professor in health science at the University of York, said: "The consistency in the evidence is striking.
"Across multiple studies, young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke in the future. These findings support stronger public health measures to protect teens from the risks associated with vaping."