VAPE PANIC
Shock as 50 children admitted to hospital with vaping-related disorders last year — 11 of them under four
Experts warn that kids who vape are more likely to start smoking
FIFTY children were admitted to hospital last year with vaping-related disorders — 11 of them aged four or under.
Yet in 2020, no pre-schoolers were among the just six e-ciggie smoking under-19s treated, NHS England figures show.
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Teenagers made up six per cent of all admissions four years ago but 14 per cent in 2023, it added.
The overall total for youngsters and adults rose 276 per cent in that time, a Freedom of Information request showed.
Jonathan Grigg, a professor of paediatric respiratory medicine, said child-friendly flavours partly explained the rise in youngsters vaping.
He warned that kids who do so are more likely to start smoking.
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Sarah MacFadyen, head of policy and public affairs at Asthma + Lung UK said the figures were “deeply worrying”.
She added: “Asthma + Lung UK emphasises our stance: it is already illegal to sell vapes to under 18s, and we strongly discourage non-smokers, especially children, from starting vaping.
“It is crucial the government takes action to prevent the vaping industry from marketing their products towards children.
“Enforcement of the age of sale laws is also a problem and should be better resourced so that young people cannot access vapes.
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“Our top priority is protecting the health of young people from the dangers of tobacco and preventing young people starting vaping.”
Only January’s admissions have been released for 2024.
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A total of 20 admissions took place and three were 19 or younger.
The government is banning the sale of disposable vapes in a new law which is planned to take effect from April 2025.
Trading standards officers will also be given new powers to issue on-the-spot fines to retailers unlawfully selling tobacco or vape products to children.