‘SHOCKING’ anecdotes of children as young as six vaping have sparked concern for the long-term health of the younger generation.

Staff at Barrow Fire Station were left shocked after attending the monthly Health and Wellbeing Partnership meeting and learning about vaping habits among young people.

The meeting inspired them to take to social media to encourage adults to educate children on the dangers.

A Barrow Fire Station spokesman said: “It was shocking to hear at the latest meeting that nationally and locally in Cumbria and Barrow there is an increasing trend in children vaping, with shocking reports of children as young as six-years-old vaping.

“Children vaping is not only illegal but incredibly dangerous to their long term health, development and wellbeing. This needs to stop now.

“Could we please encourage all parents, carers and people who work with children to educate our future generation on the dangers of vaping.”

Cumbria’s Director of Public Health Colin Cox said that ‘the picture is a bit complex’.

National surveys carried out by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggest that among 11–18-year-olds the smoking rate is around six per cent, while the rate of vaping is about 8.6 per cent – a statistic that Mr Cox says ‘does seem to be rising’.

He said: “However it’s crucial to note that over 98 per cent of those who’ve never smoked also don’t vape – so it’s still possible that vaping is mainly displacing cigarettes among people who may well have started smoking anyway, rather than being mainly a new thing among people who wouldn’t otherwise have smoked.

“And if that’s the case, it’s definitely safer for people to vape than to smoke cigarettes.”

Mr Cox said there was ‘no reason’ for non-smokers to take up vaping.

Mr Cox said: “The impact of long-term prolonged use is not completely clear and it is an expensive habit that, if the liquid used contains nicotine, is just as addictive and as hard to quit as tobacco.

“It is against the law for a young person, under 18 years, to buy vaping products so if they are using them, they have been obtained by adults on their behalf or by false representation.

“We are therefore working with our partners to be able to offer an awareness raising, education programme for young people and settings across Cumbria that support and work with young people, so that they are fully informed of the facts including the potential risks and consequences of becoming hooked on a habit that could be hard to ditch.

“In summary, my advice to people would be: if you smoke, you should quit if you can, or switch to vaping if you can’t or don’t want to quit altogether; but if you don’t currently smoke, for goodness sake don’t start vaping. Lungs are best breathing clean air.”