Vaping Information for Young People

Vapes are electronic devices designed to allow people to inhale nicotine in a vapour but vapes are also available without nicotine.

Vapes may also be called:

• e-cigarettes
• e-cigs
• e-hookah
• e-liquids
• puff bars
• vape pens
• vape pods
• vape sticks

Nicotine vaping is recommended by the NHS as a way for adults to stop smoking. But it isn’t recommended for non-smokers, especially children and young people under 18.

Nicotine is an addictive substance, and you can become dependent on vapes, especially if you vape nicotine regularly. Giving up nicotine can be difficult because the body must get used to functioning without it. Withdrawal symptoms can include cravings, irritability, anxiety, trouble concentrating, headaches and other mental and physical symptoms.

What are the immediate effects?

• dizziness
• headache
• racing heart
• nausea/possible vomiting
• stomach cramps
• weakness

Class: Legal!

Vaping is currently legal in the UK, but it is restricted. This means that it is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to someone under the age of 18, or for adults to buy these products for them.  Furthermore, disposable vapes with more than 600 puffs are illegal in the UK, and you may see vapes with 30mg and 50mg nicotine levels being sold, but these are illegal as they are above the 20mg limit.

What are the long-term effects?

Vaping has not been around for long enough, so research into long term impacts has not been fully completed yet. However, there are several dangerous effects that have been suggested by research, such as:

• Addiction
• Dependence
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Blood pressure issues
• Bronchitis
• Popcorn lung

Does it really happen?

Teen Coughs Up Blood Due to Vaping: Jayden Richardson, a 17-year-old from the UK, began coughing up blood due to severe lung damage attributed to excessive vaping, highlighting serious health risks associated with e-cigarette use. (The Scottish Sun)

Cancer Research UK on Vaping Risks: While acknowledging that legal e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, Cancer Research UK emphasizes that they are not risk-free and advises against their use by non-smokers and children due to unknown long-term effects. (Cancer Research UK)

Vape Spiking Incidents: Experts warn of a disturbing trend where vapes are being tampered with drugs like GHB and synthetic cannabis, posing serious risks such as paralysis. ​(The Irish Sun)

Vaping May Be More Harmful Than Smoking: A study from Manchester Metropolitan University indicates that vaping could pose greater health risks than traditional smoking, linking it to increased dangers of dementia, heart disease, and organ failure. (GB News)

 

For more advice, or to get help, complete a referral form on the link below, or call 01213014141.

https://www.sias-solihull.org.uk/make-a-referral/