10 year study to shed light on impact of youth vaping

GROUNDBREAKING research will investigate the long-term health effects of vaping on children, supporting major plans to tackle youth vaping and create a smoke free generation.

The £62 million research project into adolescent health, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will track 100,000 young people aged 8-18 years over a decade, collecting data on behaviour, biology and health records to understand what affects young people's health and wellbeing, including:- the impact of vaping.

While vaping is less harmful than smoking and can be a useful tool to help adult smokers quit, youth vaping has skyrocketed in recent years, with a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds having tried it.

The research coincides with the world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill which will clamp down on youth vaping by limiting flavours, packaging, and displays deliberately designed to appeal to children.

The study is 1 of 3 sets of research being commissioned by the Government, alongside the launch of England's 1st ever public health marketing campaign to educate children on vaping harms.

The long-term health impacts of youth vaping are not fully known, and this comprehensive approach will provide the most detailed picture yet, giving health carers and policymakers the robust evidence they need to protect the next generation from the potential health risks.

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said:- "We know that vaping can be a useful tool to quit smoking, but it's crucial we have clear evidence on the long-term health harms, especially for young people. This landmark series of studies, combined with our 1st nationwide youth vaping campaign, will help drive evidence-based, decisive action to protect our children's future. Through bold preventative measures, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, this Government will deliver on our Plan for Change to build healthier lives and save our broken NHS."

Prof Lucy Chappell, NIHR CEO and Chief Scientific Adviser to DHSC said:- "With vaping on the rise among young people, it is crucial that we develop a solid evidence base to better understand its health impacts, and help ensure we protect and support the next generation. By investing in important research such as this we give young people, parents, and policymakers the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and safeguard long-term health."

Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said:- "The number of non-smokers, particularly young people, taking up vaping is extremely worrying. The long-term impact of vaping on the lungs isn't yet known, so research into its effect on young people, is really important. It is already known that vaping can cause inflammation in the airways, and people with asthma have told us that vapes can trigger their condition. Vaping could put developing lungs at risk, while exposure to nicotine; also contained in vapes; can damage developing brains. This is why young people should be stopped from taking up vaping in the 1st place. The upcoming legislation, restricting vape flavours and packaging that appeal directly to young people, is an important step in tackling youth vaping along with a ban on cheap disposable vapes. Alongside this, arming young people with the facts about the dangers of vaping and how it affects their health with campaigns like Love Your Lungs, is absolutely vital."

Funded through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), the second set of groundbreaking research will see University College London (UCL) produce yearly updates capturing the latest vaping research from both the UK and international sources.

Separately, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) will conduct the most comprehensive analysis of youth vaping studies to date, also funded by NIHR.

These landmark studies will ensure healthcare workers can be kept at the cutting edge of the latest evidence and insights.

At the same time, the Government is rolling out its 1st-ever nationwide campaign to inform young people about the hidden health dangers of vaping.

The campaign, Love Your Lungs, exposes the harms of vaping and nicotine addiction, highlighting that with their lungs and brains still developing, young people are more vulnerable to health risks.

Aimed at:- 13 to 18 year olds, the campaign will roll out primarily on social media, using influencers to speak directly to its younger audience.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which contains ambitious plans to protect children from vaping, is currently making its way through Parliament. The Bill will also introduce a ban on the advertising and sponsorship of vapes and bolster enforcement to prevent underage and illicit sales.

From 1 June 2025, under separate environmental legislation, disposable vapes will be banned, reducing the availability and appeal of vapes to young people.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill forms part of the Government's Plan for Change, focusing on the crucial role prevention can take in cutting waiting lists and making the NHS fit for future.

New funding to help create the next generation of aviators and boost the economy

THE Aviation Minister has launched the latest round of funding to encourage more young people into a career in aviation, helping to secure long term economic growth and ensuring the sector has the workforce needed for the future.

Now in its third round, the Government's:- 'Reach for the Sky' programme will see £810,000 awarded to 16 organisations across the UK, from Cornwall to Newcastle.   

The successful scheme, which totals £2.3 million, has now delivered funding to 37 outreach organisations and reached 100,000 people across the country.

Supporting young people to pursue careers such as pilots, navigators and controllers also aligns with the Government's ambition to go further and faster to kickstart growth. As part of the drive to build up aviation capacity at Heathrow and across the sector - from increased travel options to more UK homegrown aviation jobs - expansion in the sector plays a crucial part in unlocking economic prosperity.

Reach for the Sky aims to break down barriers to opportunity and form the next generation of aviators, particularly by supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who may not have considered a career in the sector before.

Funding will help organisations deliver events, interactive workshops, taster days, mentorship schemes and educational initiatives with Schools, universities and career professionals.

Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:- "As part of our Plan for Change, we are breaking down barriers to opportunity so that every young person has the chance to pursue their dreams. Programmes like Reach for the Sky turn ambition into reality, helping to inspire young people and introducing them to the benefits of a career in the skies. I look forward to seeing the achievements of the next generation of aviators."

With ONS data showing that young people from disadvantaged households are more likely to feel they do not have as much of a chance in life, programmes like Reach for the Sky help break down barriers to opportunity and expand horizons for underserved, hard-to-reach groups.

This year's recipients of the DfT funded scheme include:- SaxonAir, The King's Trust and Employers and Educators, amongst others.  

SaxonAir, who have been successful in previous rounds, offer a range of scholarships, volunteering programmes and events for people of all backgrounds. 

One of their main initiatives is the INSPIRE programme, delivered in partnership with Business In The Community (BITC) at West Earlham Infant School. It aims to make the aviation industry inclusive for individuals of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

The initiative is already making a tangible difference, with teachers at West Earlham Infant School in Norwich reporting a surge in enthusiasm for aviation among pupils following a recent visit.

Hannah Colledge, HR and Wellbeing Coordinator at SaxonAir, said:- "Our INSPIRE Outreach Programme is designed to spark a passion for aviation from as young as 5 years old, offering tailored activities that align with different age groups and connect appropriately to the curriculum. With support from the RFTS funding, we can extend our reach, ensuring that young people from all backgrounds have the chance to experience aviation 1sthand. By breaking down barriers and bringing aviation opportunities to underrepresented communities, we are reinforcing our commitment to a more diverse and inclusive aviation sector"

Graham, the father of a student at Aylsham High School, Norwich, said:- "[My son] really enjoyed the INSPIRE event and loved the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes of the aviation industry. His ambition is to be a pilot, but this event opened his eyes into other possibilities of work with and around aircraft. Thank you for providing him this rare opportunity."

Educators and Employers help young people discover their future by bringing inspiration from the world of work into School. Reach for the Sky funding helps them connect aviation professionals with young people to deliver careers events and provide training across the UK.

Speaking about 1 of these events, pupil at Ealing Fields High School, Josh from London said:- "I've wanted to be a pilot for a long time and the opportunity to listen to a pilot tell his story and career path was really impactful. At the end I was lucky enough to speak to him 1:1 and this really helped me with my questions. Since meeting with him I've made the most of opportunities and even visited a flight simulator. The talk was so impactful"

The CAA is responsible for delivering the Reach for the Sky programme on behalf of the Department.  

Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability and STEM Sponsor at the Civil Aviation Authority, said:- "The aerospace sector provides many jobs and opportunities for development, and with the innovation and growth currently taking place, it is all the more vital for young people to join the industry. The Reach for the Sky Challenge fund provides support for outreach programmes that inspire the next generation, from all backgrounds, to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace, ensuring that the UK continues to be at the forefront of innovation and development. As the UK's aviation regulator, we are proud to inspire the next generation's journey into this fantastic industry through our STEM programme, funded by the Department for Transport."