Scottish health chiefs have no idea how many youngsters have needed hospital treatment after falling ill from vaping.
While the number of under-18s hospitalised as a result of vaping quadrupled last year in England there are no comparable figures available for Scotland.
That’s despite figures reported by the Record earlier this month which found the rate of Scots aged 15 who regularly use vapes has surged to around one in 10.
It comes amid our campaign to outlaw disposable brands of e-cigs which are becoming a growing litter and pollution menace.
But health charities and politicians have also raised concerns the brightly coloured, sweet-flavoured and highly popular gadgets are being targeted at youngsters – including those who are underage.
They fear not enough is known about the impact of vaping on kids whose lungs are still developing.
Campaigners are now calling for urgent action from the Scottish Government to address the lack of data on vaping-related hospital incidents.
Paul Sweeney, Labour MSP for Glasgow, said: “Comparable figures in England and Wales paint an alarming picture on a scale that we have not seen before.
“It would seem logical that a similar scenario may be unfolding in Scotland, albeit the absence of official figures means we cannot assess the scale of the problem comprehensively.
“I would urge both the government and Public Health Scotland to get a grip of this crisis before it is too late.”
Despite having to be 18 to buy a vape, young people have been able to buy them online without age checks.
They can cost as little as £4 and some are packed with as much nicotine as 50 cigarettes.
According to NHS statistics for England, there were 32 cases of under-18s requiring medical treatment for e-cigarette related ailments in 2022, up from just eight the previous year. That includes 15 incidents of kids under 10.
Among all age groups, including adults, vaping related hospital admissions nearly doubled to 344.
Health issues related to vaping include respiratory problems such as, lung inflammation and, in serious cases, respiratory failure.
A spokesman for Public Health Scotland said: “We work closely with the Scottish Government on many public health issues. Plans to address vaping are currently in development and Public Health Scotland is contributing towards these.”
The Scottish Government said it was consulting on a “refreshed Tobacco Action Plan” to be published later this year which would also cover vapes.
A spokesman added: “Vaping is one of the possible tools available to existing smokers to help stop tobacco use, however, they’re not a lifestyle accessory.”
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