Doctors have warned that vapes can cause fatal allergic reactions in children – among a long list of health risks linked to the devices.
Although it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18, One in four children have tried vaping, and one in 10 now use vapes regularly, according to the latest statistics.
Now there are concerns that flavored vapes that may contain allergens such as nuts, milk or gluten are landing children in hospital.
At the beginning of this year NHS In the year From 2020, there is a 733 per cent increase in teenagers or younger Britons. From four.
Experts warn that the risk of allergic reactions from vapes is particularly high for flavors designed to mimic certain foods or sweets known to be popular with children.
An allergy charity is now calling on vape manufacturers to start putting allergy warnings on their products.
As the devices are not classified as ‘food or drink’ there is currently no legal requirement for them to do so.
Experts warn that vapes can cause life-threatening allergic reactions in children. Stock image. Stock image
Some allergies to vapes also occur without a known food trigger, but are triggers instead. A colorless substance called propylene glycol used to sweeten the vapor in many e-cigarettes.
Many people can be allergic to propylene glycol but cannot come into contact with it.
Victims experience wheezing, asthma attacks, and hives when they inhale the liquid or inhale vapors inhaled by another user.
A famous example of a vaping allergy is Ewan Fisher.
The then 16-year-old In 2017, he nearly died from a respiratory reaction that left him unable to breathe as he vomited a neon green liquid and his organs failed.
Mr Fisher, from Nottingham, suffered from a type of allergic reaction called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, where the air sacs and airways in the lungs become severely inflamed.
Medical experts, citing cases of vape-related allergic reactions, have warned that we consider e-cigarettes “safer than tobacco” as a risk.
The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, set up in memory of Natasha Ednan-Laperose, is raising awareness of the dangers of severe reactions to vapes for Preet Bagitt, who died of allergies.
One famous example of a vaping allergy was Ewan Fisher’s severe reaction at the age of 16 where his air sacs and airways were severely burned and he nearly died.
Natasha’s father and foundation founder, Nadim Ednan-Laperosse, aid reports of allergic reactions from second-hand vape smoke being ‘extremely worrying’.
Many teenagers and their parents are unaware of the dangers of vaping, he said. The Times.
‘Evidence linking vape smoke and allergic reactions is still emerging, and labeling legislation to include nuts or one of the 14 allergens should continue.
Becky Gittins, Labor MP for Clwyd East and Parliamentary Ambassador for the Foundation, said flavored vapes should have allergy information clearly displayed on their labels.
‘We hear people talking about vapes and young people and asthma, but you don’t necessarily hear them talking about allergic reactions and anaphylaxis and vapes and that’s something I want to research.’
Last month, Labor introduced legislation containing a number of measures to crack down on vapes that would prevent children from using the device.
Packaged as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, these include limiting vape flavors popular with children, such as sweets, and packaging reviews to reduce their appeal to young people.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Wes Streeting warned at the time that the number of children who were breathing was ‘growing at an alarming rate’.
NHS digital data based on smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England for 2021 shows that 30 per cent of children in Yorkshire and Humber have used a vape.
He added that vapes deliberately targeting children with flavors like ‘gummy bears and rainbow crackers’ was ‘unacceptable’.
Most experts agree that vaping is safer than smoking, and adult smokers should be encouraged to make the switch.
However, picking up the breathing habit is a growing concern for non-smokers, especially children.
Although widely agreed to be safer than smoking, inhaling is not without risk. E-cigarettes contain harmful toxins, and their long-term effects are a mystery.
Doctors fear lung disease, dental problems and even a storm Cancer People who took the habit at a young age in the coming decades.
