A major review of evidence on youth vaping has found that young people who use e-cigarettes are three times more likely to start smoking tobacco, develop asthma, and experience poor mental health compared to non-users. The study, published in the journal Tobacco Control, examined 56 reviews and warns that e-cigarettes could act as a gateway to smoking.
Researchers from the University of York found consistent associations between vaping and later smoking, as well as other harmful consequences such as asthma, cough, injuries, and mental ill health. Asthma was the most common respiratory condition, with a 20% to 36% increased risk of diagnosis and a 44% risk of worsening symptoms among vapers.
Su Golder, an associate professor at the University of York and an author of the research, 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.'
The researchers acknowledged that the reviews were of variable quality and that proving a causal relationship is difficult due to the observational nature of the evidence. However, they urged precautionary policies to restrict sales and marketing of vapes to young people. Dr Ronny Cheung of the Royal College of Paediatrics called on the government to implement the tobacco and vapes bill without further delay.
Figures from Action on Smoking and Health show that 20% of 11- to 17-year-olds in Great Britain have tried vaping, triple the levels in 2020. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of ASH, said: 'The rise in teen vaping in recent years is very concerning and needs urgent action from government. Vapes are effective quit aids for adults who smoke but should not be used by children.'
