11-Year-Olds Vaping to Sleep: UK's Vape Ban Aims to Tackle Youth Addiction Crisis

The UK is grappling with a concerning surge in youth vaping addiction, with children as young as 11 becoming dependent on these products. Professor Rachel Issba, a consultant in pediatric public health medicine, reveals that some young people are using vapes as a sleep aid, highlighting the addictive nature of the devices. "Kids vaping before they get out of bed," she states, emphasizing the severity of the problem. The alarming trend has prompted a UK-wide ban on disposable vapes, aimed at tackling waste and curbing youth access to nicotine. The ban is also seen as an opportunity to help children quit the habit. Reporter Katie Barnfield expresses surprise at the young age of some patients, indicating a need for increased awareness and prevention efforts. Professor Issba suggests that providing appealing nicotine replacement options, such as fruit-flavored gum, could be a useful strategy in helping young people quit. The situation underscores the importance of comprehensive support services to help children overcome nicotine dependence and the need for greater public awareness of the risks associated with vaping.