Vaping

School nurses in Bradford have seen a significant increase in young people using vapes because they believe that vaping is better for you than smoking, or they start vaping instead of smoking cigarettes because they do not know the risks.  

Here are some of the most common questions about vaping answered by your local school nurses.  

What are the risks of vaping? 

It is important to remember that social media related information about vaping may contain potential misinformation, exaggeration or unproven health benefits. Here are some facts about the health risks of vaping: 

• Vapes are unsafe for kids, teens, and young adults – dentists are beginning to see side effects such as ulcers, bad breath, soreness, and potential tooth decay. 

• Most vapes contain nicotine which is highly addictive and can harm brain development as an adolescent and into your early to mid-20s. 

• Vapes can contain other harmful substances besides nicotine, such as diacetyl which is known to cause popcorn lung. 

• Young people who use vapes may be more likely to develop a smoking habit in the future. 

• Vapes can cause tongue sensitivity, numbness or loss of taste, Tachycardia (fast heart rate), high blood pressure and possibly seizures. 

• Research suggests it’s too early to identify the long-term risks.  

How old do you have to be to buy a vape? 

In the UK the legal age to buy a vape is 18. it is illegal to sell nicotine vaping products to someone under the age of 18, or for adults to buy these products for them. 

How to get help in Bradford with my addiction? 

Vaping can become addictive. One80, run by the Bridge Project, is a support service for young people (aged 24 and under) who live in the Bradford District and are concerned about their use of substances. As well as vaping, they can help with use of alcohol, cannabis, stimulants (amphetamine/cocaine), club drugs and novel psychoactive substances (NPS), opiates, crack and nitrous oxide/laughing gas 

They can also support family members, friends, schools, social workers, and other professionals who are concerned about a young person’s use of drugs and alcohol. To speak to someone about support for yourself call 01274 745 636 or click here.

Vaping education for schools: 

Step 2 offers workshops to schools for staff and young people to increase their understanding of vaping. Workshops look at why people choose to vape, the impact and potential consequences of vaping and marketing techniques used by vaping companies to target young people 

Find out more about vapes and get your questions answered here.