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Vaping
Nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking and is a good way for adults to quit smoking alongside behavioural support.
However, vaping is not recommended for people who don’t already smoke and it is illegal for people under the age of 18 to vape.
What are vapes?
A “vape” or electronic cigarette is a device that heats up a liquid to create a vapour you breathe in. Some vaping devices include pens, e-cigarettes (JUUL) and hookahs.
Vapes can be purchased from specialist vape shops, some pharmacies and retailers or online. Some vapes available on the market are currently unregulated and do not meet the safety guidelines of the Medicines Health Regulatory Agency. The Medicines Health Regulatory Agency are responsible for regulating nicotine vaping products (e-cigarettes and refill containers) to make sure they are safe to use and to protect children from using these products.
So far, no vapes have been licensed as stop smoking medicines in the UK and are not available on prescription from the NHS or from a GP. [insert images of regulated and unregulated vape kits]
Is vaping harmful to you and people around you?
Vaping is thought to be less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk-free. People who use vapes breathe in less toxins and at lower levels compared to people who smoke cigarettes.
Vaping around others
Second-hand smoke from cigarettes can seriously harm other people. At the moment, there is no evidence that vaping is harmful to people around you.
To be safe, it is best not to vape around babies and children. This is because young children often copy adults’ behaviour around them.
When vaping, think about people around you, like people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, other respiratory diseases who might get more ill because of vaping. It is important not to smoke when pregnant or around pregnant women.
Side effects of vaping
There are common side-effects of vaping which include:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Throat and mouth irritation
- Coughing, dryness of mouth and throat
If you have any of the side-effects listed above or others, get advice from Havering's Stop Smoking team before using a vape as a quitting tool. This might be due to your vaping device or how you might be vaping.
Side effects can be managed and should not stop you from using a vape as a quit aid.
How to vape safely
If you are using a vape to quit smoking, it is important to always take care and reduce any risks by:
- Buying a vape from a reputable retailer, so you can be sure the vape meets all UK safety regulations.
- Using the right charge and avoid charging a vape when you are not in the room or overnight
- Keeping vapes and e-liquids out of sight for children, as there is a risk of nicotine poisoning if swallowed.
Pregnancy and vaping
If you are pregnant and need support to quit smoking, licensed nicotine replacement therapy products, including patches and gum, are the recommended option.
THC vaping
Some people add THC oil to their vaping liquid. This sticky, thick, yellowy brown liquid comes from the cannabis plant, is extremely dangerous and can cause serious mental health problems.
THC vaping is very harmful to the lungs and can cause:
- Loss of coordination
- Distorted senses (such as sound, sight, and touch)
- Anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.
- Increased risk of psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia and other mental health issues. There is more risk of having schizophrenia if you use cannabis from a young age, use cannabis often or use stronger cannabis, like skunk, or have a family history of schizophrenia.
Swap to Stop scheme
If you live in Havering, you can sign up for a FREE vape kit bundle to help you stop smoking.
You will get 8 weeks’ behavioural support from one of our specialist advisors, a FREE vape kit and patches if needed.
Why is switching from smoking cigarettes to vaping a good idea?
- Vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking cigarettes
- Vaping is one of the most effective aids to stopping smoking
- Vaping has been found to be twice as effective as conventional NRT, and is particularly effective when used in conjunction with behavioural support
- There is a reduced chance of relapse with behavioural support.
Young people and vaping
While vaping is good at helping adult smokers to quit smoking, it is not completely harmless.
It is illegal for young people under 18 to be vaping.
The risks of vaping for young people:
- Nicotine can have negative effects on brain development in teenagers.
- This can cause problems with attention span, learning and make them prone to addiction.
- Long-term side effects of vaping are not known yet. · Illegal vapes often don’t have the correct labels to explain the dangers of vaping and instructions saying to keep them away from children.
- There is an increased risk of Child Sexual Exploitation where offenders will target young people by giving vapes in exchange for sexual activity.
There is a minimum age of sale for vaping products in the UK. It is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to anyone under 18 or for any adult to purchase them on behalf of someone under 18.
Talking to young people about vaping Young people need to understand the facts about vaping so they can make an informed choice.
More information can be found on the FRANK website.
Facts to tell to young people about vaping
Vaping helps adult smokers to quit smoking – it is not something for non-smokers to try especially children and young people
- Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but that does not mean it is harmless.
- In the UK, it is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to under 18s or for adults to buy on their behalf.
- Nicotine may be riskier for young people than adults - evidence suggests it can have a negative impact on brain development and make them prone to addiction.
- Some disposable vapes on sale are illegal and do not meet the UK quality and safety regulations.
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