Young vapers ‘at risk of breathing problems and becoming smokers’

Young people who start vaping risk developing breathing problems and going on to smoke cigarettes, children’s doctors have warned.

Child vaping is consistently linked with poor respiratory health, such as coughing, wheezing, bronchitis symptoms and asthma exacerbations, while vapes have been shown to act as a gateway to smoking cigarettes, according to one of the most comprehensive reviews of the available evidence so far undertaken by the Royal College of Child and Paediatrics Health.

The review’s co-author, Prof 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.”

He urged the government to quickly implement the new measures announced in July under the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which include plain packaging, moving vapes out of sight in shops, and restrictions on vape flavour names to move away from names inspired by sweets, desserts and alcohol in favour of simpler names such as “apple”.

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Source: Guardian, 20 August 2026