What is Vaping? What were vapes originally intended for?
Vaping is when people inhale a mist (or aerosol) made by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). It’s especially common among teenagers in the UK. Vapes were originally created to help adults quit smoking conventional cigarettes, which are known to be very harmful. Many people thought that vapes might be a safer alternative, but now more young people are trying vaping even though it wasn’t meant for them.
Is vaping better than smoking?
There’s still a lot we don’t know about vaping and the long-term effects. Right now, vaping is thought to be safer than smoking cigarettes, but it hasn’t been around long enough to really know what health problems it might cause in the future. This is especially concerning for young people, as using e-cigarettes might lead to health issues later in life, and many teenagers might not fully understand the risks they’re taking.

Are younger age groups now vaping and where are they getting the vapes from?
More young people are vaping now. In 2023, 20.5% of children had tried vaping, up from 15.8% in 2022 and 13.9% in 2020 before the first COVID lockdown (Action on Smoking and Health [ASH], 2023). Even though it’s illegal to sell e-cigarettes to anyone under 18, some shops and online sellers don’t always follow the rules. Teenagers can sometimes get vapes from friends or family members who buy them—this is known as a “proxy sale.”
What are some of the concerns about vaping?
Several myths exist around vaping, one of the most talked-about being “popcorn lung” which is a disease that damages the small airways in the lungs. The term “popcorn lung” came about after factory workers in the US got sick from breathing in a chemical called diacetyl, used to add flavour to microwave popcorn and now sometimes used in illegal vapes. Diacetyl is not permitted in legal vapes in the UK, however a major concern is when young people buy counterfeit vapes with some containing unregistered chemicals and up to 20 times the maximum number of puffs permitted by UK law and over the maximum amount of nicotine. Any vapes containing nicotine could lead to a nicotine dependency and cause symptoms such as racing heartbeats and cravings. (Source: NHS)
These illegal vapes can also contain other harmful chemicals. A report by the BBC online found how used vapes confiscated from school pupils at Baxter College in Kidderminster contained high levels of lead, nickel and chromium when tested in a laboratory. The World Health Organization states that high levels of lead exposure in children can affect the central nervous system and brain development. In conclusion, while vaping is often seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking, it carries its own risks, especially for young people. With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes amongst teenagers in the UK, it’s important for young people to understand the potential health dangers and to make informed choices. Parents, teachers, and friends should also have open conversations about vaping to help young people navigate these issues safely. Staying informed and aware is key to making the right decisions for our health.