E-cigarettes should be banned worldwide to protect children from ‘irreversible harm’, experts say.
Previous studies suggest vaping can increase the risk of stroke by a third and asthma and cardiovascular disease by a quarter.
But researchers speaking at the world’s largest heart conference warn the impact on developing brains and hearts is likely to be even greater.
Professor Maja-Lisa Løchen, a senior cardiologist at University Hospital of North Norway, said she fears vaping could become a new ‘epidemic’.
She said: ‘There is an additional risk of vaping in children [compared to adults] when it comes to effects on the body.
‘Because we know that the nicotine and other elements in e-cigarettes have a very harmful effect on developing brains.
‘Not only in the foetus, but during childhood and into your 20s. So that is something we are extremely concerned about.
‘We also know that when children and young people start vaping, they may become dependent on the nicotine and it can become a gateway to smoking.
Previous studies suggest vaping can increase the risk of stroke by a third and asthma and cardiovascular disease by a quarter
Campaigners have long blamed manufacturers, claiming they are intentionally luring kids in with colourful packaging, compared to highlighter pens, and child-friendly flavours such as bubblegum and cotton candy
‘I think based on what we know now about the detrimental and harmful effects of e-cigarettes, I think there should be a ban on sales of e-cigarettes worldwide.’
She added: ’These have been around for 15/20 years now, we have the data. We know they are not harmless.
‘I worry that vaping may be causing irreversible harm to children’s brains and hearts.
‘Of course we have to wait for long-term data, but I am absolutely concerned.
‘It increases your blood pressure, your heart rate, and we know that the arteries become more stiff. It could be even more harmful in children [compared to adults].
‘I’m very worried – and convinced – that children and adolescents that are starting to vape now are at increased risk of irreversible harm to their health.’
Professor Lochen’s presentation to leading cardiologists at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid said there are 133 potentially harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes – of which 107 are known to cause cancer.
She referenced a University of California study published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine linking vaping to a 32 per cent increased risk of stroke compared with not smoking or vaping.
The NHS is still promoting e-cigarettes as a quitting tool
The same paper also found vaping raised the risk of cardiovascular disease by 24 per cent, asthma by 24 per cent, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 46 per cent and mouth diseases by 47 per cent.
The figures for smoking were 108 per cent, 64 per cent, 56 per cent, 199 per cent and 69 per cent, respectively.
The NHS is still promoting e-cigarettes as a quitting tool but there are growing concerns about youngsters who have never smoked taking up the habit.
A review of over 200 studies published earlier this year by University College London found vaping rates increased from 8.9 per cent to 13.5 per cent among adults between January 2022 and January 2024, with rates among young adults rising from 17 per cent to 26.5 per cent over the same period.
Professor Løchen told delegates: ‘The most common reason for vaping in the young is not smoking cessation, because they don’t smoke, it’s curiosity.
‘This is a largely unregulated global market, it’s heavily marketed on social media by industry-paid influencers and videos of e-cigarettes are seen by millions of young people.
‘Vaping appeals to adolescents because it is very cheap, it tastes and smells like candy, it’s sold without age control and perceived as harmless and fun.’
Professor Susanna Price, consultant cardiologist at Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals, London, and chair of the European Society of Cardiology’s Advocacy Committee, said: ‘I am concerned that it is being dressed up as using vaping to get people off smoking but, actually, you’re not using vaping to get somebody off smoking when they’re that young.
‘We are seeing an increase in children vaping.’
‘We are seeing an increase in children vaping but what we don’t yet know is what that translates to in long-term cardiovascular risk because they haven’t been around long enough.
‘I think there is a push to suggest that vaping is safe but we don’t know that.
‘It’s my concern that we’re going to replace one highly addictive substance with another one that may have a similar profile with respect to cardiovascular risk.’
The UK Government has banned disposable vapes.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently working its way through Parliament, includes powers to restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of vapes.
Responding to the comments, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: ‘Vaping is not risk-free, and no child or teenager should be picking up an e-cigarette.
‘Making vaping less appealing to young people and creating a smokefree generation cannot come a moment too soon.’
Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said: ‘Evidence consistently shows that while vaping is not risk-free, it is less harmful than smoking and a more recently published evidence review concluded there is lack of evidence to support an association of e-cigarette use with cardiovascular disease.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Our health advice is clear, whilst vapes are less harmful than smoking and can be an effective quit aid for smokers, children and non-smokers should never vape.’
