A Vapid UK Response to Vaping?

Vaping is less harmful than cigarette-smoking, as this activity doesn't produce cancer-causing tars. Indeed, vaping has sometimes been prescribed to wean 'addicts' off cigarettes. The vaping products still contain, however, highly-addictive, nicotine. This, and the fact that the long-term effects of vaping on health are uncertain, are reasons why these products are legally restricted to UK folk over 18. Vaping also isn't a cheap option. In spite of costs and restrictions, the Vice President of Policy for The Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health is concerned about the 'exploding popularity' of vaping amongst UK teenagers (and younger children) (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/18/uk-health-expert-raises-alarm-at-epidemic-of-vaping-among-teenagers). This respiratory health specialist, worries that a UK generation could end up with both long-term addictions and lung damage. The illegal use of e-cigarettes by children and young teenagers has been progressively growing in all parts of the UK. The latest National Health Service figures, note that 9% of 11-15 year olds admit to vaping. Vaping is often seen ouside schools, sometimes in children under 10 years of age. Children have been encouraged to use e-cigarettes on targeted social media. Some of the 'flavours' sold, actually seem to be directed to children. Some products, from outside the UK, but purchasable online, have big nicotine 'hits'. Worryingly, there are now indications that a proportion of 'virgin vapers' move on to cigarettes. The UK needs a) more research on the long-term effects of vaping, b) improved education on its probable health effects h and c) much tighter restrictions/enforcement on the sales of e-cigarettes to children and younger teens.