AN urgent vape warning has been issued after e-cigarettes left children suffering collapsed lungs.
NHS figures show that 40 youngsters under the age of 19 were admitted to hospital over the past year following excessive use of illegally-sold vapes.
GettyRishi Sunak is splashing out £3million on a ‘vape enforcement squad’[/caption]
Among them were 15 children aged nine or under – up from 12 last year and just two the year before.
Paediatric chest physician Prof Andy Bush told Sky News: “If a teenager starts smoking cigarettes, probably the worst that’s going to happen to them is they’re going to be sick and throw up behind the bike shed.
“The acute use of e-cigarettes can put them in hospital, can put them in intensive care, things like lung bleeding, lung collapse and air leak, the lungs filling up with fat.”
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said: “Youth vaping is fast becoming an epidemic among children.
“E-cigarettes are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so than traditional cigarettes.”
NHS England Chief Amanda Pritchard said: “It is seriously concerning that admissions for vaping-related conditions for young people are up almost fourfold over the past two years.
“To many young people vaping can seem harmless with their deliberately appealing flavours – at least two people in every year 10 classroom have vaped at one point or another.
“Its use can lead to lung damage. So it’s really important we nip this in the bud so we can keep young people out of hospital and prevent future health issues.”
Last month Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new plans to clamp down on the illegal sale of vapes to children – including a £3million “illicit vape enforcement squad”.
He said: “I am deeply concerned about the sharp rise in kids vaping and shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of school children.
“The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good.”
It comes after The Sun’s investigation revealed how British teens are getting hooked on dangerous fruity vapes – and the numbers are doubling each year.