Fears are growing over the number of vape shops opening in Swindon and what it might mean for the health of younger members of the town's population. But claims from health experts that smoking the products has long-term bone health implications have been dismissed by the body that represents the industry. Vaping has become increasingly popular as a replacement for smoking, with at least 15 vape stores based in Swindon and nine in the town centre alone.
Their popularity has seen a surge in vape littering, as well as becoming a problem with children using them in and out of school. Action on Smoking and Health reported 20.5 per cent of children had tried vaping in 2023, increasing from previous years.
Wiltshire Council said 60 per cent of young vapers in Great Britain were using fruit-flavoured, disposable vapes made to appear like sweets. Now a leading expert in osteoporosis and rheumatology has stressed the link between poor bone-health and vaping. Dr Taher Mahmud said studies suggesting there is a link between poor bone health and vaping have been emerging since 2020.
In his research at the London Osteoporosis Clinic, Dr Mahmud said nicotine in vapes interferes with how bones are formed and impairs their growth by reducing blood supply to the bones. “People may not be aware but there are cancer-causing chemicals, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde which are inhaled when someone vapes, alongside dangerous heavy metals like nickel, tin and lead. These all have an impac.
