Parents are being urged to talk to their children over the dangers of vaping.
According to the NHS, vapes are not recommended for non-smokers and cannot be sold to people under 18 years old. They work by heating a liquid that typically contains nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and flavourings.
However, despite being closely regulated, the long-term risks of vaping are not yet clear. Common side effects can include coughing, dry mouth and throat, mouth and throat irritation, shortness of breath and headaches.
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But directors of Public Health in Cheshire and Merseyside are particularly concerned about the increased use of vapes among children. They have issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the increase of the use of vapes and are calling for a country wide ban on disposable vapes.
They said: "For some time now we have been concerned about the rapid growth of vaping (the use of e-cigarettes) and the negative impact this can have on health and wellbeing, especially amongst our children.
"Over the years, the number of people smoking has reduced significantly, thanks in part to a range of public health measures, which include easy-to-access stop smoking services and indeed the use of vapes when appropriate, but as Directors of Public Health we must always be vigilant to any emerging trends that may impact this positive outcome.
"Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death and illness in the UK and causes heart disease, strokes, many cancers, dementia, lung disease, and more. Quite simply: smoking kills, and we are only supportive of the use of vapes when they are used as a tool to give up smoking for life.
"Whilst vapes are sometimes advertised as a risk-free alternative to smoking, we do not yet know the long-term effects of regular vaping. In the short term, using vapes can cause coughing, headaches, dizziness and sore throats. Some vapes also contain nicotine, which is incredibly addictive, and is why they should only be used as a tool to stop smoking."
They added that disposable vapes also harm the environment with 1.3 million plastic vapes being thrown away each week in the UK. Concerns were also raised over some high street items containing unknown ingredients.
The statement added: "Our greatest concern is the impact that vaping is having on our children. Let us be clear, we understand that vapes can help people stop smoking, but it is unacceptable that colourful, covetable, plastic vapes are permeating children’s lives and setting them up for a life-long dangerous smoking habit.
"We find the attempt to make vapes ‘cool’ amongst children disgraceful. We have no doubt that aggressive marketing and advertising strategies from tobacco companies, like offering a variety of enticing flavourings and colours, are to blame."
The nine directors of public health are also calling for additional restrictions around the advertising of vapes and design on flavours, an increase in fines to those selling products to under 18s as well as increasing powers for enforcement teams.
Parents are also being urged to speak to their children about the dangers of vaping. The full statement can be found here.
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