Britain's first specialist clinic for children addicted to vaping has been inundated with young patients, with some as young as 11 now stuck on a growing waiting list.
A Service at Capacity
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool launched its pioneering e-cigarette cessation pilot earlier this year in response to a surge of under-16s hooked on vapes. However, newly obtained figures reveal the service has already hit full capacity, with at least 15 children waiting for treatment.
Currently, around 27 young people are receiving support. The cohort includes 17 adolescents aged between 14 and 15, and a smaller group of fewer than 10 children aged just 11 to 12.
The Scale of the Youth Vaping Crisis
This local clinic's struggle reflects a national emergency. The number of school-aged Britons using e-cigarettes continues to soar, with a staggering 1.1 million admitting they have tried vaping at least once.
According to data from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), approximately 18% of children aged 11 to 17 have experimented with vaping, and around 7.2 per cent are current users.
Professor Rachel Isba, who leads the service at Alder Hey, issued a stark warning about the impact of nicotine on developing brains. She had previously revealed that children as young as seven are taking up the habit.
"More research needs to be done to look at the impact of vaping on under-16s," Professor Isba stated. "This is crucial if we are going to be able to effectively provide the support they are asking for, to enable them to become nicotine-free, and improve their health and wellbeing."
Treatment and Future of the Service
The clinic was established in February after schools across Merseyside reported a sharp increase in pupils showing signs of nicotine dependency. Treatment is highly personalised for each child and can include:
- Nicotine replacement therapies
- Psychological support and counselling
- Guidance on managing peer pressure
- Strategies to break behavioural habits
Staff also work directly with local schools to monitor dependency levels and refine the support offered.
Although the initial pilot funding from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside has concluded, Alder Hey has committed to continuing the service until every child on the current waiting list has been treated. Hospital trust bosses are now examining long-term funding options to potentially roll out similar clinics across Merseyside and other NHS trusts.
This crisis unfolds against a backdrop of rising adult vaping, with 5.6 million Britons now using e-cigarettes—the highest level on record. While the NHS still considers vaping a valuable tool for adult smokers trying to quit, the situation for children is markedly different.
Studies suggest that children who vape regularly are three times more likely to become smokers in later life. The habit has also been linked to respiratory illness and other substance abuse. Data from the Department of Health and Social Care indicates that vaping among children has tripled since 2021.
In response, the government has introduced measures such as a ban on single-use vapes. Meanwhile, medical experts are raising the alarm globally, with some calling for a worldwide ban on e-cigarettes to protect children from what they describe as 'irreversible harm'.
Researchers speaking at a major international heart conference warned that vaping can increase the risk of stroke by a third and the risk of asthma and cardiovascular disease by a quarter. They emphasised that the impact on developing brains and hearts is likely to be even more severe.
Professor Maja-Lisa Løchen, a senior cardiologist, expressed fear that vaping could become a new 'epidemic', highlighting the extreme vulnerability of young, developing bodies to the harmful effects of nicotine.
