Demonising vaping is prompting young people to switch to tobacco as mixed messaging suggests they are equally as dangerous, experts warn
- Action on Smoking has warned of an increase in smoking among young people
- Opposition politicians have called for drastic restrictions on vape sales
Scare stories and misinformation about the harms of vaping could lead to an increase in the number of young people smoking, experts warn.
Last week, a report showed that the decades-long decline in smoking rates in England since the Covid pandemic had leveled off. Researchers suggested this was likely due to more young people taking up smoking.
Deborah Arnott, CEO of Action on Smoking and Health, told this newspaper she believes misinformation about the dangers of vaping is partly to blame. “All the negative press around vaping hasn't helped,” she said. 'Suggestions that vapes should be in plain packaging, carry health warnings and be kept out of sight, like tobacco, only give the impression that both are equally harmful, when that is not the case.'
In October, Health Minister Wes Streeting said a Labor government would ban the commercial sale of vapes, making the products available only by prescription. He cited the need to prevent a “generation of children” from becoming addicted to nicotine. The plans mirror those of Australia, where vapes are only available by prescription.
Research shows that one in five British children will try a vape by 2023, a 30 percent increase on last year. But experts say demonizing vaping will likely increase the number of smokers, not reduce it
Dr. Sarah Jackson, a behavioral science expert at University College London and lead author of the latest report on smoking rates in Britain, also said that “inaccurate” headlines about the risks of vaping were a possible reason why more young people were taking up smoking. “People now think vaping is more harmful than smoking, which is wrong,” she said
Research shows that one in five British children will try a vape by 2023, a 30 percent increase on last year. But experts say demonizing vaping will likely increase the number of smokers, not reduce it.
“In Australia, where you need a prescription for vapes, they've seen the number of smokers rise because it's just easier to get cigarettes,” Ms Arnott says.
Dr. Sarah Jackson, a behavioral science expert at University College London and lead author of the latest report on smoking rates in Britain, also said that “inaccurate” headlines about the risks of vaping were a possible reason why more young people were taking up smoking. “People now think vaping is more harmful than smoking, which is wrong,” she said.
Last year, a report from King's College London found that vaping poses a 'small share of the health risks of smoking' in the short to medium term.
'There are a number of toxic chemicals present in vapes that have been linked to long-term health problems, but the levels are significantly lower than in cigarettes,' says Dr Jackson. “We don't want people to vape unnecessarily, but if we were to switch people who smoke to vaping, it would improve the health of thousands of people.”