Vapes could lead to health harms in children, doctors warn

Vaping could lead to health harms in children and young people and should be made "less attractive" to them, doctors have said.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has reviewed about 81 studies into vaping and said it is linked to higher rates of breathing problems and evidence of harm in babies whose mothers used vapes while pregnant.

The review said vaping should not be seen as a "harmless part of growing up".

The RCPCH is calling on the UK government to go further in its proposals to place new restrictions around the sale of vapes and suggests limiting the number of flavours that are available.

The review into vapes has been published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. Experts from the college looked at the studies involving health or social outcomes of vaping on children and young people.

It said vaping had an association with problems including wheezing and couching, poor oral and dental health, poor sleep, mental health problems and eye symptoms.

Co-author of the systematic review, Prof Will Carroll, said the evidence showed "clear links" with respiratory symptoms, nicotine dependence and subsequent cigarette smoking.

"We must act to make vaping less attractive and accessible to children," he said.