NATIONAL PRIORITY
In 2019 the UK Government set out to make England smokefree (smoking prevalence of 5% or less) by 2030.1 The Tobacco Control Plan for England states smoking as the single largest cause of preventable deaths, with over 7 million people still smoking in England.2
This plan also sets out to ‘eliminate smoking among under 18s and achieve the first smokefree generation’.2 An independent ‘Khan review’ into the smokefree policy in 2022 set out 15 recommendations to support smoking cessation.3 Crucially, promoting the use of e-cigarettes in existing smokers has been suggested as a key element to achieve the smokefree target.3 The free ‘swap to stop’ packs launched in April 2023 aims to provide 1 million cigarette smokers with e-cigarettes in exchange for cigarettes. The Khan review did acknowledge the need to reduce young people’s uptake of e-cigarettes by banning child-friendly labelling and packaging. In the UK, selling e-cigarettes to under 18 year olds is illegal.4
Despite recognition that e-cigarettes should not be targeted at adolescents, there are growing health and environmental concerns over e-cigarette use in young people. This editorial highlights the concerns about adolescents, and offers support to primary care practitioners when assessing e-cigarette use in young people.
WHAT ARE E-CIGARETTES?
E-cigarettes are electronic nicotine delivery systems or electronic non-nicotine delivery systems. They require heating, vaporising an e-liquid mixture via lithium battery power, so it can be inhaled. The e-liquid consists …
