Vape-away

Strawberry lemonade. Buttered popcorn. Cotton candy. 

It is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to under-18s in the UK. But experts say they have no doubt: these flavours are designed to appeal to children. 

Britain was once a nation of smokers. In 1962, more than 70% of British men and 40% of British women smoked.

But by 2022, with the dangers of tobaccoA substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive. widely known, the percentage of smokers had dropped to just 13%. 

With its sleek designs and enticingSomething which is attractive and draws people in. flavours, vaping can seem like a fun way to experiment with smoking - without the same health risks. But is vaping really a safe alternative?

When you vape, you are inhaling an aerosol - or a vapour. This vapour contains nicotineThe substance found in tobacco that people become addicted to. It can also be made artificially. , flavourings and other chemicals that create sweet smells. But despite not containing  tobacco, experts warn that vaping is not risk free. 

Research into vapes is still relatively new. But some of the chemicals in the vapour are known to cause lung irritation and damage, and others may even be linked to cancer. 

Other reports suggest that vaping can increase the risk of heart disease and lung disease, and can even affect brain development in young people.

The number of children vaping in Britain has doubled in the past two years.¹ Although technically illegal to market e-cigarettes to people under the age of 18, reports have surfaced of adverts for vaping appearing on school buses and influencers pushing products on TikTok and Instagram. 

ProponentsSomeone who proposes something, or at least supports it by speaking and writing in favour of it. of vaping argue that it can be an effective tool for quitting smoking. In fact, guidance from Public Health England, a UK government agency, suggests that vaping is 95% less harmful to health than normal cigarettes.

But, as others are quick to point out, not all of those who vape start off as smokers. 

Yes: Vaping involves inhaling chemicals. Its long-term health effects are still not fully understood, but there is evidence pointing to some serious side effects. 

No: Vaping does not include tobacco, which is responsible for the vast majority of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. As a result, vaping is generally considered to be less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes.

Or... Vaping is not as harmful as smoking traditional cigarettes, but it is not completely harmless either. The answer depends on whether or not you started off as a smoker.