Published: 21:47 BST, 19 August 2026 | Updated: 21:54 BST, 19 August 2026
Children who vape are more likely to suffer breathing problems, poor mental health and a host of other health issues, a major review has found.
Experts warned vaping is a 'gateway' to smoking tobacco and 'should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up'.
Doctors from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) examined all published studies on vaping among young people. They are now urging ministers to 'go further' than the curbs proposed in the Tobacco and Vapes Act.
Some 5.5million people, including nearly a million 11 to 17-year-olds, are thought to vape – with experts warning that colourful packaging and sweet flavours have helped entice youngsters.
The RCPCH analysed 81 studies examining the health and social effects of vaping among young people. It was associated with respiratory problems including wheezing and coughing, anxiety, depression and panic disorders.
The analysis also found links to sleep problems, eye conditions and oral health problems such as inflammation, ulcers and dry mouth. There was evidence of harm in babies whose mothers vaped while pregnant, too, including 'more abnormal reflexes', 'lower motor maturity', poorer self-regulation and higher risks of low weight gain.
Publishing their findings in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, the doctors wrote: 'There is strong evidence… that vaping predicts and increases the risk of subsequent cigarette initiation among young people who have never smoked.
'There is consistent evidence… that young people who vape report higher rates of cough, wheeze and other respiratory symptoms than non-vapers.'
Children who vape are more likely to suffer breathing problems, poor mental health and a host of other health issues, a major review has found
They added: 'There is evidence emerging for a wider range of likely health harms impacting specifically on CYP (children and young people) including mental health, oral and dental health, allergies, sleep, eye symptoms and adverse perinatal outcomes for babies exposed to nicotine during gestation.'
It comes after the number of people who vape in Britain overtook the number who smoke cigarettes for the first time last year, at 5.5 and 4.9million respectively.
In July, the Government announced plans for plain packaging and rules forcing manufacturers to replace enticing flavour names inspired by sweets, desserts and alcohol with simple descriptions such as 'apple'.
Professor Will Carroll, co-author of the review, said: 'Vaping should not be seen as a harmless part of growing up.
'As paediatricians, we call on the Government to go further and limit the types of flavours available, as opposed to just their descriptions.'