Prescription-Only Vapes Urgently Needed for Child Protection

Vapes should be made prescription-only to protect children, leading respiratory doctors have said. In a letter published in The Times, 17 practising and retired paediatric specialists call on ministers to take action to curb youth vaping. The number of children and young people being treated in NHS hospitals for vaping-related disorders is on the rise, and vaping rates among teenagers have spiked since disposable vapes hit the market. An investigation by The Times revealed that tobacco giants have been linked to efforts to promote vaping in the UK and block regulations aimed at protecting children.
The letter, signed by former chairs and previous members of the British Paediatric Respiratory Society executive committee, urges the government to take three key measures. It calls for regulations on vape product marketing to be bolstered, increased funding for educating children about the dangers of vaping, and a ban on flavored e-cigarettes, which have been particularly attractive to young people.
Dr. Jonathan Grigg, a consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine, emphasized the urgent need for action, saying, We are deeply concerned about the growing number of children and teenagers who are being harmed by vaping. Making vapes prescription-only is a vital step to protect our young population from the dangers of this addictive habit.
The call for tighter restrictions comes as increasing evidence links vaping to serious health issues among young people. Recent studies have revealed a higher risk of respiratory problems, including lung damage and asthma, as well as nicotine addiction. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nicotine exposure during adolescence can harm brain development and lead to long-term cognitive and behavioral issues.
The influence of tobacco companies on the vaping market has also raised alarm bells. Last month, The Times investigation shed light on the links between tobacco giants and the promotion of vaping in the UK. It exposed attempts to undermine regulations aimed at safeguarding children, amplifying concerns about the marketing tactics used to target young people.
Campaigners are calling for urgent action to protect vulnerable youth from the harmful effects of vaping. They argue that restricting access to vapes through prescription-only measures would serve as a crucial safeguard, making it more difficult for young people to acquire these products and reducing the prevalence of vaping among minors.
The government has yet to respond to the call from respiratory doctors, leaving many concerned about the potential impact on a generation of young people. As the debate continues, experts are urging swift action to address the rising vaping-related disorders among children and teenagers, ensuring their health and well-being remain a top priority. The protection of future generations from the harmful effects of vaping is now at the forefront of public health concerns, and the government must decide on the necessary steps to safeguard the nation’s youth.