There have been calls to ban flavoured vapes on the grounds they are “harming the brains of children”. 

A Red C Research and Marketing poll found 75% of vapers think a ban would lead to more children taking up smoking instead.

In addition, 90% said they thought a ban would simply create a black market for the product.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, consultant respiratory physician Professor Luke Clancy said he was “quite worried” about the popularity of flavoured vapes.

“These are obviously put in there to make the product more attractive but apart from that worry, there’s also the worry we’re inhaling flavours into our lungs,” he said.

“If you ingest them into your stomach where they’re supposed to go, they seem to be harmless enough.

“But when they’re inhaled, we’re inhaling foreign material into our lungs and the damage it’s going to cause is unknown yet.

“But you can be certain when you inhale foreign bodies into your lungs, it causes damage.”

Close-up of a man vaping an electronic cigarette

The HSE notes that “vaping may be less harmful” than traditional tobacco products but describes the habit as “not harm-free”.

Professor Clancy is especially concerned about the impact of nicotine on young people.

“Nicotine itself is addictive and it’s harming the brains of these children,” he said.

“Furthermore, they’re using devices that have lithium and plastic - and we’re trying to get away from that.

“There’s nothing good about these.”

A teen vaping on the street. Image: Steven Gill / Alamy

GP and addiction specialist Garret McGovern is concerned about the impact of a ban on those who want to quit smoking.

“The whole rationale for electronic cigarettes is to reduce harm,” he said.

“Flavours are a very significant driver for people who are trying to quit smoking.

“I look at it as a significantly less harmful endeavour than smoking.”

Britain’s NHS recommends vapes to people who wish to cut down on their use of tobacco products.

Dr McGovern believes it is something smokers should consider trying.

“Smoking is a deadly habit and kills 6,000 people a year,” he said.

“Electronic cigarettes are killing nobody - if switching works for you, switch - is my advice to smokers.”

The HSE has a number of programmes to help people quit smoking for good.

Main image: Vaping. Photo via Pexels