On February 19, the British Ministry of Health announced a 10-year study to assess the long-term impact of e-cigarettes on children aged 8 and over.
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| E-cigarettes can affect children's lungs and brains. (Source: Pixabay) |
The study comes amid a rapid rise in the number of children and young people using e-cigarettes. It is estimated that around 25% of 11-15 year olds in the UK have tried them.
The UK Department of Health study, funded with £62 million ($78.1 million), will follow 100,000 people aged 8 to 18 for a decade. Researchers will collect behavioral, biological and health records from participants.
The aim of the study is to provide the most comprehensive and detailed picture to date of the impact of e-cigarette use on adolescents, thereby providing the evidence needed for policymakers to protect future generations from the potential health risks posed by e-cigarettes.
At the same time, a nationwide propaganda campaign on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes will also be deployed, mainly on social networks with the participation of influential figures to effectively convey the message to young people.
There is evidence that e-cigarettes can cause airway inflammation and people with asthma have reported that the products can trigger asthma attacks, according to Sarah Sleet, chief executive of lung charity Asthma + Lung UK.
She also stressed that vaping can be dangerous for developing lungs, while exposure to nicotine can affect young brains.
In the UK, e-cigarettes are not subject to excise duty and often come in attractive designs with attractive fruity flavours, unlike traditional cigarettes which are heavily taxed and have strict advertising restrictions. However, the government plans to introduce a flat tax on e-cigarette liquids from October 2026.
The UK has been taking steps to control the use of e-cigarettes by children. A ban on the sale of cheap disposable e-cigarettes, which start from as little as £5, is due to come into effect in June.
In addition, Congress is also considering the Tobacco and E-cigarette Bill, which requires manufacturers to limit the number of flavors and change product packaging, avoiding eye-catching designs to reduce appeal to children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly called on governments to regulate e-cigarettes similarly to traditional cigarettes, while warning about negative health impacts and the risk of nicotine addiction, especially in adolescents and children.
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