PCRS Position Statement - Children and Young People (CYP) and Vaping

The UK has the largest market for vapes in Western Europe. There has been a rapid increase in use over the last decade and, whilst this has now been stabilised in adults, there has been a sharp rise in usage in 18-24-year-olds from 2020, coinciding with the introduction of disposable and flavoured vapes into the UK, which have been popular and attractive to children and young people. 

In this position statement we outline the background, key issues and PCRS position on CYP and vaping. As part of this, the Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) advocates that:

• vaping should be discouraged among children and young people;
• accurate information should be available for them, their families, schools and health professionals on the potential risks of vaping, and
• that long-term safety data should be available for this age group in regulated products. 

In addition, PCRS feels awareness needs to be raised about the risks of unregulated products and action needed in terms of removing advertising and flavours aimed at young people. Vaping and smoking cessation services need to be available for children and young people and provide all support necessary to address nicotine dependency early.