Teen vapers are getting e-cigs on black market despite worrying link to strokes

Most under-18s who vape are getting e-cigarettes on the online black market, worrying polling suggests.

A survey of 2,000 adults and 500 youths aged 15 to 17 has looked at how a growing number of adolescents have been accessing the devices. It comes after the Mirror reported research presented at Europe’s biggest heart conference suggested that vaping could increase stroke risk by a third. A leading cardiologist warned of potential “irreversible harms” to the young amid a “vaping epidemic”.

The new polling by technology firm IKE Tech saw 79% of respondents say underage users buy vapes online. It found 90% of all respondents believe vapes are often given or shared by friends and siblings.

Six in 10 respondents said they believe current age verification methods in shops are too easy to bypass.

Atul Sodha, an independent retailer of 36 years who has run small franchise shops, said: “We need a belt and braces approach to age verification in order to ensure we keep within legal frameworks while helping the Government achieve its smoke-free objectives.

“A triple-lock effect of manufacturer technology, retailer vigilance, and point of use age verification within vapes would not only help in eliminating youth use, but will also help resolve the challenges we face in anti-social behaviour and verbal and physical abuse of staff during point of sale processes.”

The Mirror reported this week on research by the University of California showing vaping increased the risk of stroke by 32%, cardiovascular disease by 24%, asthma by 24%, COPD by 46% and mouth diseases by 47%.

Smoking by comparison increased the risk of stroke by 64%, cardiovascular disease risk doubled, asthma risk increased by 56%, COPD saw a three-fold increase, and oral disease risk increased by 69%. The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) responded by insisting smoking is much more harmful than vaping. It estimates around two million Brits have quit smoking using e-cigarettes.

The NHS is still promoting e-cigarettes as a quitting tool but there are growing concerns about youngsters who have never smoked taking up vaping.

A review of over 200 studies published earlier this year by University College London found that between January 2022 and January 2024 vaping rates among adults increased from 8.9% to 13.5%, with rates among young adults rising from 17% to 26.5%.

It is against the law for retailers to sell nicotine-containing vaping products to under-18s and adults are also prohibited from buying them for youngsters.

IKE Tech, which did the latest polling, manufactures identity verification (IDV) technology. Some 74% of respondents said they purchased vapes in stores with minimal or non-existent age checks.

John Patterson, president of IKE Tech, said: “Now more than ever, the world needs responsible, technology-driven solutions that go beyond traditional enforcement.”