Disposable vapes are being banned to prevent children from becoming addicted to the brightly colored and sweet-tasting e-cigarettes.
Officials are expected to unveil proposals next week outlining that the devices will be scrapped over concerns they are ‘almost entirely aimed at children’.
Doctors have been warning for years about the side effects of vaping, ranging from mild throat and mouth irritation to potentially fatal lung and heart disease.
But with millions of Brits expected to give up disposable vapes, doctors have revealed what happens to your body after you quit and their top tips for kicking the addiction.
Here, a doctor tells MailOnline how, just after a week, the risks of heart disease and high blood pressure can return to pre-vaping levels after just a few months.
Tests on e-cigarettes seized from young people showed that they contained dangerous levels of lead, nickel and chromium. Some were almost ten times above safe limits. Exposure to lead can hinder brain development, while the other two metals can cause blood clotting
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY AFTER YOU STOP VAPING?
Vaping can have serious and sometimes fatal side effects on the body.
Dr. Semiya Aziz, a GP and TV doctor practicing in North London, noted that there are links between vaping with chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease and conditions such as asthma and popcorn lung – a condition that affects the smallest airways in the lungs damages.
While the body can recover from the effects of vaping, it can take weeks, sometimes months, she said. It depends on the intensity and duration of vaping.
Within a few weeks of quitting e-cigarettes, the lungs can regenerate damaged tissue, reducing the risk of conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
But the speed of recovery depends greatly on the degree of exposure.
“If the damage to the lungs is extensive, this may not be possible and there may be permanent damage with long-term chronic consequences,” she added.
Heart health may also improve as blood vessels return to a normal speed and size, returning the risk of seizure to pre-vaping levels.
Dr. Aziz said: ‘As a result of vaping, heart rate often becomes abnormal and there is dilation of blood vessels, which can increase the risk of heart attack or sudden death in people with or without known heart disease.’
In addition to a healthier heart, blood circulation is likely to improve after just a few weeks, reducing the risk of fatal heart disease.
Dry mouth and diminished taste buds — a side effect of vaping — will also return to normal after a few weeks, she says.
Dr. Aziz added: “We also know that vaping can cause other organ damage.
‘In addition to your lungs, nicotine and other substances in vaping can affect brain development and mood and lead to addiction.’
TOP TIPS TO STOP VAPING
Quitting an addiction or habit can be a grueling process for most, especially when the government is expected to announce that the country will go cold turkey.
But Dr. Aziz has revealed her top five tips on how to quit vaping for good.
The NHS doctor suggests getting physically active, as she says exercise or exercise can suppress cravings.
Another way to curb the addiction is to develop a distraction technique.
Dr. Aziz said: ‘The desire often disappears after one to two minutes. This can be done by doing various chores, using your hands or by listening to music. Some patients I know have used straws to help them quit.”
It is said that the journey to quitting is much easier if you also surround yourself with family and friends who support you and understand the difficulties.
Many people develop a vaping habit to manage stress, but this can be replaced with a different and healthier lifestyle.
Meditation, journaling, and spending time outdoors are just some of the alternative practices your doctor recommends.
And don’t forget to celebrate milestones, no matter how small they seem, Dr. Aziz said.
She said, “You may want to track the number of vape-free days you’ve achieved and reward yourself for that.”
Many unwanted side effects can occur during the first few weeks of quitting smoking.
Symptoms may include headaches, chills, irritability and erratic mood swings with anxiety attacks.
Dr. Aziz said: ‘Nicotine is an addictive substance and it usually takes 72 hours for nicotine to disappear from the body system.’
Single-use fumes will be abolished under new government plans.
This prevents children from becoming addicted to the devices. The latest data shows that 11.6 percent of 11 to 17-year-olds in Britain have tried vaping.
Campaigners have long called for much stricter rules on marketing to children and a tax on disposable vapes, which are most popular among teenagers.
NHS Digital data, based on the Smoking, Drinking and Drugs Among Young People in England Survey for the year 2021, showed that 30 per cent of children in Yorkshire and the Humber have used a vape
But concerns have increased recently as ministers have been urged to ban predatory companies selling vapes in brightly colored packaging and child-friendly favors such as chewing gum.
The proposals – which follow in the footsteps of countries such as France and New Zealand – could be unveiled as soon as next week, reports suggest.
Last week, the French government vowed to press ahead with plans to ban disposable e-cigarettes, saying they encourage smoking among young people.
Germany and Ireland have set out their proposals to impose restrictions on vaping, with the German government currently considering a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes.
In addition, Australia has taken steps to make vapes only available to people with a prescription.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has also introduced restrictions banning vape shops from being within 300 meters of a school and requiring all vapes to have removable batteries.
Colorful displays of the gadgets, which retail for just £5, are currently hitting high streets across the UK.
Predatory manufacturers lure kids in with flavors like bubble gum and cotton candy, and some stores even sell the devices alongside candy.
Experts have previously called for a total ban on disposable vapes such as Elf bars, popular with teenagers.