Shock when 50 children were admitted to hospital with vaping-related disorders last year – 11 of them under the age of four

FIFTY children were admitted to hospital last year with vaping-related disorders – 11 of them aged four or under.

However, in 2020, no pre-school children were among just six under-19 e-cigarette smokers treated, NHS England figures show.

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Teenagers made up 6% of all admissions four years ago, but 14% in 2023, he added.

The global total for young people and adults increased by 276 percent in that period, a freedom of information request showed.

Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory medicine, said kid-friendly flavors partly explain the rise in vaping among young people.

He warned that children who do this are more likely to start smoking.

Sarah MacFadyen, head of policy and public affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said the figures were “deeply concerning”.

She added: “Asthma + Lung UK emphasizes our position: it is already illegal to sell vapes to under-18s and we strongly discourage non-smokers, especially children, from taking up vaping.

“It is crucial that the government takes action to stop the vaping industry from marketing its products to children.

“The enforcement of age of sale laws is also a problem and there should be more resources so that young people do not have access to vapes.

“Our top priority is to protect young people’s health from the dangers of tobacco and prevent young people from starting to smoke.”

Only January admissions have been released for 2024.

There were 20 hospitalizations and three were 19 years old or younger.