WATCH: Doctor sounds alarm over little known side effect of vaping for teenagers

A paediatric consultant has warned that young people are now presenting with adverse symptoms to vaping, such as anxiety and asthma.

Dr Des Cox, a paediatric respiratory consultant and head of the respiratory department at CHI at Crumlin, says the rise in teenage vaping is concerning and that he would like to see policy brought in that stops young people using vapes.

"They aren't harmless, they aren't as harmful as cigarettes, but teenagers using e-cigarettes is not a good idea on a number of levels," he said, speaking on RTÉ Primetime on Tuesday night, January 30.

Exposure to vaping and nicotine products can be harmful for teenagers and young people, according to Dr Cox, as the lungs and brain are still developing and are more susceptible to harm, with early exposure to nicotine having a significant effect on cognition, he said.

"We have teenagers coming to paediatric clinics presenting with anxiety."

Paediatric Respiratory Consultant Dr Des Cox says the rise in teenage vaping is concerning and that he would like to see policy that stops young people taking up vaping.#rtept | @rtenews pic.twitter.com/tyI4TM23Ek

— RTÉ Prime Time (@RTE_PrimeTime) January 30, 2024

"We have children coming to paediatric clinics presenting with anxiety, presenting with poor concentration in school.

"I see children with increased asthma symptoms as a result of vaping, these are problems that are seen on the ground."

Dr Cox said he would like to see the government bring in measures that don't affect "people using vapes to quit smoking", but rather something that will stop teenagers and young people taking it up.