A review of systematic reviews on the health effects of vaping in children and adolescents

Vaping among children and young people is rising in Northern Ireland. This review was carried out by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) to inform the development of policy and regulation on vapes in Northern Ireland. This report found 12 systematic reviews investigating the public health effects of vaping among children and adolescents.

It found strong, high-quality evidence of an association between vaping and subsequent tobacco cigarette use based on longitudinal data. This review of systematic reviews also found some evidence to support the association between vaping and having asthma, increased coughing, mental health, marijuana use, and alcohol use. The quantity and quality of this evidence was mixed. The review identified the need for well-designed longitudinal studies investigating the long-term effects and other potential health implications of vaping.