Largest youth vaping study suggests it is a gateway to smoking

Children who vape are three times more likely to go on to become smokers, and face increased risks of asthma and poor mental health, according to the largest global review of vaping in young people.

The new analysis found “consistent evidence” linking youth vaping to subsequent cigarette use and serious wider health harms, including respiratory illness and substance abuse.

Other harmful outcomes linked to vaping at a young age include pneumonia, bronchitis, lower sperm counts, dizziness, headaches and migraines.

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Scientists from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) analysed 56 scientific reviews on 384 studies into vaping.

Not only were young vapers found to be more likely to smoke in later life, they were also more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely.

Researchers also tracked breathing problems linked to youth vaping, and found an increased risk among young people who vape of developing asthma or asthma exacerbation.

There was also a link identified between depression and suicidal thoughts among young vapers.

One of the senior authors of the study said the study “provides the strongest evidence to date that young people globally face a serious range of physical and psychological harms from vaping.”

Dr Rebecca Glover, assistant professor at LSHTM, said “vaping is having a detrimental impact on the health of young people globally and vaping appears to be a gateway to other substances.”

Writing in the journal Tobacco Control, the authors said the data available “consistently indicated a significant association between e-cigarette use and later cigarette smoking in young people”.

Although they said that it is difficult to “infer causality” from their review, the “repeated strong associations in prospective cohort studies are consistent with a causal relationship”.

In June, the ban on disposable vapes was introduced in a bid to curb their use among young people.

The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them.

The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes, whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes.

But UK Vape Specialists, VPZ, said that vaping is “intended solely for existing adult smokers as a less harmful alternative to combustable tobacco.”

“It should never be marketed to, sold to, or used by children and non-smokers,” said Jamie Strachan, operations director at VPZ.

Commenting on the study, Mr Strachan said: “VPZ supports strict regulation that prevents under-18s from obtaining vaping products.”

Dr James Murphy, director of science and research at British American Tobacco (BAT), said: “There is little evidence that vaping is a gateway to smoking. In fact, it has helped millions of adults move away from cigarettes.

“While not risk-free, experts agree it poses only a fraction of the risks of smoking. Smart regulation that gives adults access to better alternatives, while enforcing high standards and preventing under-age use, is vital to achieving the UK’s smoke-free goal.”