Support services for young individuals struggling with vaping addiction are expected to be integrated into NHS facilities nationwide. Last year, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool initiated the UK’s inaugural clinic for 11 to 15-year-olds battling e-cigarette dependency. Prof Rachel Isba, who leads the program, is collaborating with other healthcare trusts to extend assistance to more adolescents looking to quit vaping.
The initiative aims to incorporate aspects of the pilot clinic into routine services to aid children and adolescents post-pilot completion. Available services may encompass nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and health education. Additionally, Prof Isba, specializing in pediatric public health medicine, aims to facilitate discussions about vaping during regular medical check-ups and engage other local services where necessary, such as safeguarding.
The development coincides with the one-year anniversary of the government’s prohibition on disposable vapes, implemented to safeguard children’s well-being and address the environmental harm caused by discarded plastic devices and lithium-ion batteries. However, the impact of the ban on youth vaping remains unclear, with over six million vapes and pods discarded weekly in the UK, as highlighted by research from Material Focus.
Statistics from NHS surveys and Action on Smoking and Health indicate that approximately 5-9% of 11 to 15-year-olds currently vape, while around 5.4 to 5.6 million adults in the UK use e-cigarettes. Notably, vapers now outnumber traditional cigarette smokers, constituting roughly 10% of adults. The Alder Hey vaping clinic, initially funded by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, was a pilot endeavor exploring cessation strategies for young individuals, with ongoing efforts to secure future funding.
By selecting Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News, readers can conveniently access news that matters to them.
