Important Note: It is illegal to sell vaping devices containing nicotine to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy them for under-18s.
According to a survey carried out for BBC Bitesize and BBC Radio 5 Live last year, nearly a third (32%) of teenagers aged 13-18 say they had vaped at least once. The survey also found that of those who said they had vaped at least once, 55% were worried it would be bad for their health.
Here are five common questions about vaping and e-cigarettes we found online.
Is vaping being banned in the UK?
The UK government has announced that they are set to ban the sale of disposable vapes in England and Wales from June next year in an effort to reduce the number of young people taking up the habit and prevent environmental damage.
They have cited the variety of flavours, as well as the brightly coloured casing many disposable vapes come in, as particular areas of concern.
Can you buy vapes if you're under 18?
UK law currently states that vapes (or e-cigarettes as they’re also known) can only be sold legally to those aged 18 or over. As the Teen23 survey shows though, underage vaping is common.
Are vapes less harmful than other tobacco products?
Cancer Research UK states that we're still in the dark about the long-term consequences of vaping since it's a relatively recent addition to the smoking scene. The charity also highlights that most of the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes, are not in e-cigarettes.
Nevertheless, that doesn't make them risk-free.
Possible side effects of vaping, as listed by the NHS, are mouth and throat irritation, headaches, and shortness of breath.
Professor John Britton, who has advised the government on the issue, goes a step further and says that in 40 or 50 years from now, we might start seeing people getting lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and bad lung problems as a result of vaping for a long time.
The NHS advice for those adults looking to quit smoking does suggest that using an e-cigarette could help manage nicotine cravings, but also that “the healthiest option is not to smoke or vape.”
Can you get addicted to vaping?
E–cigarettes usually contain nicotine, and you'll often see a warning on vape packages confirming this.
Are vapes regulated?
According to the UK government, e-cigarettes are heavily regulated, with the UK having some of the strictest regulation processes.
These rules make sure that e-cigarettes are up to a certain standard of quality and safety. The packaging and labels on vape products include information to help consumers make informed choices.
Some people have doubts about the ingredients in vape products, but it's important to note that manufacturers are obligated to inform the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) by providing a detailed list of all the ingredients present in their products.
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