Support services for young individuals addicted to vaping are being integrated into NHS facilities nationwide. Last year, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool launched the UK’s inaugural clinic for 11 to 15-year-olds struggling with e-cigarette addiction. Lead clinician Prof Rachel Isba is collaborating with other healthcare trusts to expand assistance for teenagers seeking to overcome this habit.
Prof Isba is spearheading the adoption of elements from the pilot clinic into various healthcare services to aid young individuals post-pilot completion. These services could be within clinical, drug and alcohol, or existing smoking cessation services. The focus is on addressing the critical issue of vaping addiction through a combination of nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and health education. Prof Isba also aims to integrate discussions about vaping into routine medical check-ups and involve relevant local services like safeguarding.
The initiative coincides with the one-year anniversary of the government’s prohibition on disposable vapes, designed to safeguard children’s health and reduce environmental harm caused by improper disposal of plastic devices and batteries. Despite the ban, the impact on youth vaping rates remains uncertain, with millions of vapes discarded weekly in the UK and a thriving illegal market estimated at £6 billion annually.
Recent data from NHS surveys and Action on Smoking and Health indicates that around 5-9% of 11 to 15-year-olds currently vape, along with 5.4-5.6 million adult users. Vapers now outnumber traditional cigarette smokers for the first time, comprising about 10% of adults. The Alder Hey vaping clinic, initially funded by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, was a pilot project exploring vaping cessation strategies for youth. The clinic has concluded its pilot phase, and future funding options are being considered.
