A 12-year-old girl from Belfast has spoken out about her experience with vaping after being hospitalised with a lung collapse. Sarah Griffin, who has asthma, had started vaping at the age of 9 and was using a 4,000-puff vape which contains nicotine. Her habit, coupled with a head cold, resulted in her being in a life-threatening condition and put into an induced coma for four days. Her doctor described youth vaping as a healthcare emergency that urgently needs to be addressed. Sarah’s mother has urged parents to be vigilant, stating that 70% of young vapers are using vapes regularly.
Recent figures suggest that one in five children aged 11-17 in the UK have tried vaping. However, as many countries around the world are facing challenges with rising numbers of young vapers, experts call for urgent action internationally. Health professionals plead that people need to be cautious about vapes because the healthcare implications associated with them are still emerging. In the UK, the government is proposing to crackdown on the rising numbers of young people using vapes with a consultation. Proposals include restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes to make them less attractive to children and exploring whether to increase the price of vapes to reduce usage.
While vaping has been encouraged as a alternative to smoking, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, noted that it should not be marketed to children, and that although it may still have risks, it may be important in helping smokers quit tobacco. Sarah Woolnough from Asthma + Lung UK agrees that something needs to be done to make vaping less attractive to children. She highlights that disposable vapes at their low price point with colourings and child-friendly flavours are too accessible to young children. It is hoped that proposals such as those being put forth in the UK will have impact on reducing the numbers of young vapers globally and protecting their health
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