Key Summary
- A review showed consistent links between youth vaping, worsening respiratory health, and subsequent cigarette smoking.
- The review screened more than 14,000 published articles and synthesised data from 81 studies.
- Over the past decade, vaping has surged in popularity across the UK.
A comprehensive review published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has established clear evidence linking youth vaping with poorer respiratory health and increased uptake of conventional cigarettes.
The review screened more than 14,000 published articles and studied data from 81 studies across eight health and social domains to evaluate the short- and medium-term impacts of e-cigarettes on children and young people.
Over the past decade, vaping has surged in popularity across the UK, with experimentation and regular use among young people increasing tenfold. What was once a smoking cessation tool has rapidly become widespread in early adolescence.
The findings show that young people who vape are significantly more likely to suffer from chronic coughs, wheezing, bronchitis symptoms, and aggravated asthma.
Crucially, longitudinal data confirmed that young vapers are far more likely to transition to combustible tobacco cigarettes.
Beyond lung health, the review identified links to wider physical and psychological harms, including poor oral health, sleep disturbances, allergies, and heightened risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
The review co-author, Professor Will Carroll, said: “Vaping should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up. The evidence shows clear links with respiratory symptoms, nicotine dependence and subsequent cigarette smoking, while concerns about wider impacts on young people’s health continue to grow.
“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, 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.”
RCPCH Vice President for policy, Dr Mike McKean, 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 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.”
