A global umbrella review of youth vaping, described as the largest of its kind, analysed 56 reviews covering 384 studies. Researchers from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found consistent evidence that young people who vape are more likely to become smokers later and have higher odds of asthma and poorer mental health. Twenty-one of the included reviews looked at the progression from e-cigarette use to cigarette smoking.

The analysis also linked vaping with greater risks of respiratory illness and other harms, including pneumonia and bronchitis, and noted associations with dizziness, headaches and migraines, as well as lower sperm counts. It also identified links with depression and suicidal thoughts among young vapers. While the data do not prove causation, the authors say the persistent associations in prospective studies are compatible with a causal relationship. The study was published in Tobacco Control.

University of York researcher Dr Su Golder said the consistency across studies is striking and supports stronger public health measures to shield teenagers from vaping. Dr Greg Hartwell of LSHTM noted that transitions to smoking carry multiple harms and underscored the importance of regulation to limit youth access, in line with the government’s stance on preventing marketing of vapes to children. Lead author Dr Rebecca Glover described the findings as showing a serious global health impact on young people. Industry responses emphasised caution: VPZ’s Jamie Strachan said vaping should be for adult smokers only and not marketed to or used by young people, calling for strict rules to prevent under-18 access, while BAT’s Dr James Murphy argued there is little evidence vaping acts as a gateway to smoking and that regulation should balance adult access with preventing under-age use to help meet the UK’s smoke-free goal. Policy context: In June the disposal vape ban was introduced across the UK, prohibiting sales to under-18s and applying online and in-store; disposable devices are banned whether nicotine-containing or not, while reusable vapes remain allowed.