The report provides detailed information on the use of e-cigarettes and perceptions of vaping among young people.
Key findings include:
- 20% of young people have tried vaping and 15% of young people currently vape.
- Young people have found it easy to purchase vapes, with only half being asked (at least once) to verify their age when making a purchase.
- Prevalence of current vape use increased though the year groups ranging from 4% among year 8 pupils, to 46% among year 14 pupils.
- 76% reported they had never smoked tobacco cigarettes before they had tried an e-cigarette for the first time.
- Among those young people who had ever used vapes, approximately 40% reported they had experienced side effects including headaches, dizziness, breathless, coughing, lower fitness level, anxiety/stress, nausea, increased heart rate and tiredness.
- Both young people and teachers were of the view that the promotion of vapes were targeted at young people.
RCPCH Officer for Ireland, Dr Thomas Bourke, said:
It is shocking to see the rapid rise of vaping among young people. Vaping can be highly addictive and cause damage to developing lungs and brains. The potential harm of long-term use remains unknown.
Parents, teachers, and child health professionals are increasingly concerned by this the blatant marketing strategies e-cigarette companies are using to target children.
We have a once in a generation opportunity to protect them from the mistakes that were made over the tobacco industry. Paediatricians strongly support the Tobacco & Vapes Bill to ensure stricter regulation of the marketing and availability of these products to children and young people.