Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool launched an e-cig cessation pilot in February to help youngsters kick the habit – and now at least 15 are in a queue to be seen
At least 15 children are on a waiting list for an NHS vaping addiction clinic(Image: SWNS)
Children as young as 11 are on a lengthy waiting list for the first NHS vaping addiction clinic, we can reveal.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool launched its e-cig cessation pilot earlier this year in a bid to help youngsters kick the habit. Now, data we obtained under Freedom of Information laws shows the service is at capacity – and at least 15 children are in a queue to be seen.
Around 27 are receiving treatment, including 17 aged between 14 and 15, and some – fewer than 10 – aged 11 to 12. It comes as the number of school-aged Brits hooked on the devices continues to soar, with 1.1 million admitting they’ve puffed on a vape at least once.
Professor Rachel Isba, who heads up the service at Alder Hey, said: “There is well-established evidence of the impact of nicotine on the still-developing brain and it’s not good news. More research needs to be done to look at the impact of vaping on under-16s if we are going to be able to effectively provide the support they are asking for, to enable them to become nicotine-free, and improve their health and wellbeing.”
Alder Hey’s vaping cessation pilot launched in February (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The service opened in February following an alarming rise of young vapers in the Merseyside area. Treatment is tailored to the individual and can include nicotine substitution, therapy and support around peer pressure and behaviour. Staff also work with schools to gather data to help drive the service, including on the number of nicotine-dependent children.
Speaking when the service launched, Professor Isba added: “With the alarming rise in the number of children and young people turning to vaping and the significant uncertainty regarding the long-term impacts and potential harms of this trend, our clinic aims to provide crucial support for individuals affected by vaping, helping them become nicotine-free.”
The clinic was an initial pilot funded by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and has now ended, but the service will continue until everyone on the waiting list is seen. Officials at Alder Hey are now exploring future funding options to deliver vaping addiction services locally on Merseyside and at other NHS trusts across the country.
Professor Rachel Isba heads up the Alder Hey vaping cessation pilot(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Some 5.6 million adults in the UK currently vape, equating to about 10-11 per cent of the adult population – the highest ever. Vaping is on the rise despite government efforts to curb nicotine addiction rates, including a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes which came into force in June.
The NHS still considers vapes to be a useful tool for helping adults quit smoking. A 2024 review of scientific evidence found nicotine e-cigarettes have helped more people to quit smoking than nicotine replacement therapy like patches and gum.
