Support programs for young individuals addicted to vaping are being integrated into NHS services nationwide. Last year, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool launched the UK’s sole pilot clinic for 11 to 15-year-olds struggling with e-cigarette addiction. Lead physician Prof Rachel Isba is collaborating with other healthcare facilities to expand assistance for teenagers looking to quit vaping.

Prof Isba is aiding colleagues across the UK in implementing aspects of the pilot clinic into their regular services to aid young individuals post-pilot completion. These services may be within clinical, drug and alcohol, or existing smoking cessation services. The focus is on addressing vaping as a significant health concern through methods such as nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and health education.

This initiative coincides with the one-year anniversary of the government’s prohibition on disposable vapes, aimed at safeguarding children’s health and reducing environmental harm from discarded plastic and batteries. Despite the ban, the impact on youth vaping remains uncertain, with millions of vapes and pods discarded weekly in the UK. A thriving black market with an annual worth of £6 billion persists.

Statistics indicate that approximately 5-9% of 11 to 15-year-olds and 10% of adults in the UK are current vapers. Vaping has surpassed traditional cigarette smoking, which accounts for about 9.1% of the population. The Alder Hey vaping clinic, initially funded by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, aimed to explore vaping cessation strategies for young individuals. The pilot has concluded, and the hospital is exploring future funding avenues.