They’ve helped thousands of people successfully quit smoking; in laboratory tests, they’ve been found to be up to 95% less harmful than cigarettes; and they’ve been hailed as “a game changer for public health” by one independent review. So why exactly are vapes and e-cigarettes still regarded by many experts as controversial and potentially dangerous?
In terms of young people, the issue is availability. Vapes (containing nicotine) aren’t supposed to be sold to under 18s: a fact at odds with the rising number of school-age users and the products’ colourful packaging and child-friendly flavours. Our #WakeUpWednesday guide summarises what trusted adults need to know about the potential dangers of vaping for young people.