Is vaping just as bad as smoking? England’s chief medical officer has criticised vape manufacturers who sell e-cigarettes aimed at children. Meanwhile the number of children vaping has doubled.
Health chief: 'Stop marketing vapes to children'
Is vaping just as bad as smoking? England's chief medical officer has criticised vape manufacturers who sell e-cigarettes aimed at children. Meanwhile the number of children vaping has doubled.
What's happening?
Strawberry lemonade. Buttered popcorn. Cotton candy.
These are not the flavours in a new packet of jelly beans or fizzy sweets. Instead, they are the flavours of vapes sold across the world. ExpertsSomeone who knows a lot about a particular subject. think the flavours are chosen so that children and teenagers will want to buy them.
In the past, more than half of all men and nearly half of all women in Britain smoked cigarettesA thin tube of paper containing tobacco, which is then smoked. . But as we learned about the dangers of smoking, the number of smokers fell.
Vaping is not the same as smoking. When someone vapes, they inhaleBreathe in. a vapour. It includes nicotineThe substance found in tobacco that people become addicted to. It can also be made artificially. , flavourings and chemicals that make sweet smells, but not tobaccoA substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive. .
It is against the law to sell e-cigarettes to under-18s in the UK. But the number of teenagers and children vaping in Britain has doubled in the past two years. Some think flavours made to appeal to children, TikTok and Instagram are to blame.
Find out more
E-cigarettes may not have tobacco in them, but there is still a lot we do not know about what they do to the body. Even so, some scientists warn that vaping can harm your lungs and may even harm your heart and brain.
Most agree that if someone smokes, it is better for them to start vaping than carrying on smoking. But it would be better, doctors say, not to vape at all.
Yes! Vaping involves inhaling chemicals that may turn out to be dangerous. It is a really bad idea to start vaping if you do not smoke.
No! Vaping does not include tobacco. It is a useful tool for smokers who want to stop using tobacco but cannot give up nicotine.
Is vaping just as bad as smoking?
Keywords
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Cigarettes - A thin tube of paper containing tobacco, which is then smoked.
Inhale - Breathe in.
Nicotine - The substance found in tobacco that people become addicted to. It can also be made artificially.
Tobacco - A substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive.
Health chief: ‘Stop marketing vapes to children’
Glossary
Experts - Someone who knows a lot about a particular subject.
Cigarettes - A thin tube of paper containing tobacco, which is then smoked.
Inhale - Breathe in.
Nicotine - The substance found in tobacco that people become addicted to. It can also be made artificially.
Tobacco - A substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive.