Doctors sound alarm over children vaping as studies find wide range of health impacts

Doctors have raised the alarm about the growing prevalence of vaping among children after studies showed it was linked to a raft of health issues.

Experts at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said research had found use of vapes led to wheezing, coughing, allergies, sleep problems, eye symptoms, anxiety, depression, ulcers, and dry mouth.

They also said long-term investigations had found vaping was a gateway to smoking cigarettes later in life.

Professor Will Carroll, a co-author of the review, which drew on 81 studies, 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 said.

"We must act to make vaping less attractive and accessible to children."

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Figures suggest almost one in five (19%) 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have tried vaping.

The survey was conducted for the charity Action on Smoking and Health. Its chief executive, Hazel Cheeseman, said "strong controls on marketing and promotion" should be introduced.

Some of the key measures the RCPCH experts want the government to take are restricting flavour names, mandating plain packaging, and keeping them out of sight in shops.

They are currently being considered as part of a 12-week consultation launched by the Department of Health last month, but Prof Carroll said it should do more.

"As paediatricians, we call on the government to go further and limit the types of flavours available, as opposed to just their descriptions," he added.

'Children should never vape'

A health department spokesperson pointed to action already taken, including banning single-use vapes, as well as advertising and sponsorship from next year.

"We're also consulting on proposals to crack down on packaging that appeals to children," they added.

Of the research, they said: "Children should never vape, and this evidence shows just some of the risks associated."

PM wants to see fewer vape shops

Prime Minister Andy Burnham also has vape shops in his sights. He wants to give councils greater powers to restrict such businesses as part of his plans to reinvigorate Britain's high streets.

They currently fall into the same planning category as cafes and shops, meaning they can open without an existing business requiring a new planning application. Mr Burnham is proposing they are placed in their own category, so councils can accept or reject them individually.

(c) Sky News 2026: Doctors sound alarm over children vaping as studies find wide range of health impacts