By Liam Gilliver
You can't walk around anywhere in the UK without accidentally inhaling a cloud of watermelon flavoured nicotine.
But that may soon change, as the government's landmarkTobacco and Vaping Bill passed its second reading yesterday despite Tory rebellion from the likes of Liz Truss, Suella Braverman, and Kemi Badenoch. If passed, the legislation would prevent anyone born after January 1, 2009, from legally buying cigarettes.
The bill would also restrict disposable vapes that health experts say has created an 'epidemic' due to the amount of children hooked on them. New on-the-spot £100 fines will also be issued to retailers found selling vapes to those under the age of 18. Earlier this year, the government announced single-use vapes will be banned in England, Wales and Scotland from next year.
Whilst many Brits started vaping as a way to ditch standard cigarettes, it's clear vaping has become extremely popular in its own right - and it isn't free from consequences. So, here's what happens if you put down your Blueberry Razz Lost Mary for good.
Vaping has completely hooked the nation, with an estimated 4.5 million adults using e-cigarettes on a daily or occasional basis.
Dr Alka Patel has 25 years of medical practice as a GP and is also known as the Health Hackitvation Doctor. Speaking to the Mirror, the expert broke down the changes to our body after giving up vaping. So, let's say you hit your Elf bar the second you wake up, but by 9am you decide it's time to stop. Your body will start to experience changes in just half an hour:
By 9.30am: Your heart rate has slowed down.
By 12.00pm : You start to notice some nicotine withdrawal effects. This might leave you feeling on edge and irritable. It's normal to also experience abdominal cramps and have a sore throat.
By 11pm : You may have difficulty falling asleep tonight.
3 days later: The withdrawal effects may have worsened, presenting themselves as headaches or sweating. Keep going!
One month later: That irritated cough will have disappeared. You sore throat will have settled and your breathing will be improving.
3 months later: Your circulation improves and your blood vessels are more open. Wooo!
9 months later: Your ability to fight infection improves.
1 year later : Congrats, your risk of having a heart attack is reduced by 50 per cent as your blood vessels return to a normal size.
5 years later: Your risk of stroke decreases.
10 years later: The DNA damage caused by vaping has improved.
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The NHS says switching from cigarettes to vapes can 'significantly reduce' your exposure to toxins that can cause a plethora of health issues including cancer, lung disease, and heart attack. However, that doesn't mean they're completely risk free.
Experts have warned the devices that increase blood pressure and heart rate, and could lead to reduced lung function over time. Vaping is also linked to skin problems such as dehydration and irritation as well as wrinkles around the mouth - but more research is needed to investigate the long-term effects. If you need support to quite smoking or vaping, check out these resources.
A version of this article was first published on February 24, 2024
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