Vaping is linked to a number of serious health issues in children and young people, a major new review has found.
The systematic review by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) assessed over 14,000 studies and identified consistent links between vaping, respiratory health and subsequent cigarette smoking.
The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will come into force in the coming months to restrict the sale of tobacco products and limit advertising of vapes, but paediatricians say more must be done.
Dr Mike McKean, RCPCH vice-president for policy, 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 is essential if we are to properly understand the risks and respond to emerging evidence.
“The Tobacco and Vapes Act is an important step towards protecting children from nicotine addiction, but it must not be seen as a one-and-done solution.
“We need to keep pace with a rapidly evolving market and continue to take action to protect children from nicotine products that are deliberately made and marketed to appeal to them.”
E-cigarettes or vapes refer to devices which heat a liquid and convert it to an inhaled form, and they often contain nicotine, which is known to be addictive.
The first vapes appeared on the British market 20 years ago and the RCPCH State of Child Health report published last month showed a 10-fold increase in 15-year olds who regularly vape in 2023 compared to figures in the previous 2020 report.
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reported at a recent UK government consultation on vapes that around one million, or one in five, 11 to 17-year olds reported trying vaping last year.
Dr Sarah Brown, Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, shared in the State of Health report: “I have looked after several children and young people who vape.
“Two recently had acute hospital admissions with respiratory complications likely directly influenced by vaping.
“The youngest child I have looked after was a 6-year-old with severe bronchiectasis found using their parents’ vape on the ward.”
The new systematic review, published in the Archives of Disease of Childhood today, found that vaping was consistently associated with cough, chest discomfort, wheeze, chronic cough and phlegm, with some studies suggesting a higher likelihood of asthmatic users being hospitalised.
The review also found that vaping is associated with oral and dental health issues in children and young people, including gingivitis, mouth ulcers and cracked or broken teeth.
Concerningly, the review identified that vaping is strongly associated with progression to cigarette smoking in most of the studies analysed.
The review also found harms to children and young people’s mental health, sleep and eye health associated with vaping.
There is also emerging evidence that babies and infants exposed to vaping during pregnancy may have adverse health outcomes.
The study warns that long term health outcomes of vaping are still unknown, drawing a parallel with how the harms of cigarette smoking took over 50 years to be fully established.
Additionally, vapes used by children and young people frequently contain unrecognised toxins, with a study from the University of Bath last year finding that up to 1 in 4 vapes confiscated in UK schools contained the synthetic drug “spice”, known to be highly addictive and associated with psychosis, seizures and heart problems.
Professor Will Carroll, co-author of the systematic review, said: “Vaping should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up.
“The recently announced measures are welcome and must be implemented quickly. But if vaping is to remain a viable smoking cessation tool without attracting new users, the government must go further.
“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.”
The RCPCH is currently drafting a response to the UK Government’s consultation on proposals for regulating tobacco, vaping and nicotine product packaging, device appearance and retail displays.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Children should never vape and this evidence shows just some of the risks associated.
“We have already banned single-use vapes and have legislated to ban advertising and sponsorship from next year too.
“We’re also consulting on proposals to crack down on packaging that appeals to children.
“Through the Tobacco and Vapes Act, this Government will protect children and young people from the potential harms of vaping, smoking and risks of nicotine addiction and create the UK’s first ever smoke-free generation.”
Featured image: Official image from the CDC, free for use under Unsplash License
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