Young People and Vaping: The UK’s First Clinic for Teen Addicts

Once upon a time, smoking was the big bad wolf. Then, vaping came along, promising a “safer” alternative. Fast forward a few years, and now we’ve got middle schoolers sneaking puffs of neon-colored vape pens that smell like bubblegum. What started as a smoking cessation tool for adults has turned into a full-blown trend among teens, and experts are hitting the panic button.

Vaping: The “Harmless” Habit That’s Hooking Kids

According to recent studies, 7.2% of 11- to 17-year-olds in the UK are now vapers, double the number from just a few years ago. And sure, 7% might not sound like a massive crisis, but when you consider that most of these kids have never even touched a cigarette, it gets a little scarier. Vaping isn’t just an occasional rebellious act anymore; for some teens, it’s a full-blown addiction.

The First Ever Vaping Clinic for Kids

Enter Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, which just launched the UK’s first dedicated clinic for young people battling nicotine addiction. The clinic is specifically for kids aged 11 to 15 who are hooked on vapes, and let’s be real—if a pre-teen is already so addicted to nicotine that they need professional help, that’s pretty concerning.

The clinic, which opened its doors in January 2025, offers personalized treatments designed to help these young vapers cut back and, hopefully, quit for good. This isn’t just a “Just Say No” program; it’s real medical support, including nicotine replacement therapy (yep, even for kids), behavioral counseling, and strategies for resisting peer pressure.

When a Vape Becomes a Morning Routine

One of the biggest red flags doctors have noticed? Kids are reaching for their vapes the moment they wake up. According to Professor Rachel Isba, the doctor leading the clinic, some of these teens are hitting their vape before they even get out of bed.

Sound familiar? That’s because it’s the same level of dependence that smokers used to have with cigarettes. And that’s exactly what public health experts were afraid of when vapes started flooding the market.

The truth is, vaping addiction isn’t just about nicotine. It’s a social thing, a habit thing, and, thanks to flashy flavors and influencer culture, it’s even become a personality trait for some teens. Ever seen a 14-year-old proudly showing off their new cotton candy-flavored disposable vape on Snapchat? It’s happening.

What’s Next?

The Alder Hey Clinic is just the beginning. Health experts hope that similar programs will pop up across the UK to help tackle the growing issue of youth vaping. But prevention is just as important as treatment. Some lawmakers are already pushing for tighter regulations on vape sales, marketing, and flavors because, let’s be honest, nobody over 18 actually wants their vape to taste like rainbow candy.

For now, the focus is on helping young people break free from the vape trap before it turns into a lifelong habit. The question is: Will they listen? Or will vaping continue to be Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s version of the cigarette craze? Only time will tell.

You might also want to read: Vaping Risks You Should Definitely Know About