A survey commissioned by leading lung charity Asthma + Lung UK Scotland and conducted by Opinion Matters of 1,000 adults aged 16+ in Scotland, comes ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament, led by Siobhan Brown MSP on the 31 January.1 Those surveyed who said they were concerned were ‘extremely concerned’ and ‘quite concerned’ answers combined.
The debate concerns the increasing concerns of parliamentarians and wider society around the rise in the use of vaping products by children and young people.
Originally promoted as a smoking cessation tool, vaping products have become widely available and marketed to children and young people, with an expanding range of sweet and fruit flavoured liquid and colourful devices.
Siobhan Brown MSP said:
“I welcome the research conducted on behalf of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland. It would certainly seem that the public feel strongly about vaping and the issues surrounding it such as advertising and how it targets children.
“I have noticed a surge in the use of e-cigarette use amongst teenagers in the street and outside of secondary schools. And I’ve been contacted by constituents who have been in touch about children as young as 11 vaping in primary school. I was shocked to hear this, as it is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy e-cigarettes in Scotland.
“Vapes remain a relatively new product and there is still much to learn about the harm they do. However, it's clear to me that children and young people are being targeted by e-cigarette companies who sell brightly coloured vapes in enticing flavours like cotton candy and cherry cola. It’s time these flavours were banned, and plain packaging introduced.”
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of health charity ASH Scotland, said:
“It’s pleasing that a large majority of people surveyed in Scotland share our concerns about the promotions and marketing of health harming e-cigarettes and vaping products towards youngsters.
“The recent upsurge in vaping by young people is being driven by the popularity of cheap sweet flavoured, brightly coloured disposable vapes. This is a major worry as nicotine is highly addictive and children are using toxic e-liquids that have not been safety tested for inhalation and could risk damage to their growing lungs over time.
“The Scottish Government has completed its consultation on tightening the rules on advertising and promoting vaping products and must now act swiftly to reduce the visibility of vapes as part of its measures to protect the long-term health of Scotland’s young people and future generations.”
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said:
“E-cigarettes are a relatively new stop smoking tool and for many they are a helpful way to give up smoking. But e-cigarettes are not risk free, and more research is needed on how long-term vaping can affect the lungs and overall health.
“For example, we know that vaping can have some impact on inflammation in the airways which might cause harm over long periods. These concerns are very much reflected in our polling showing Scots are very concerned over these vaping products and young people.”
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
1. We surveyed 1,000 adults in Scotland and eight out of ten (82% and 83%) are concerned about vaping and young people and children. Combining those who said ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ to the following statements: how concerned about the following: children and young people with no history of smoking using vaping products? and how concerned are you about the following: the marketing and promotion of vaping products to young people and children?
Methodology:
The research was conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Asthma + Lung Scotland, among a sample of 1,000 adults in Scotland aged 16+. The data was collected between 22.12.2022 - 03.01.2023. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.