As chatter increases regarding a possible winter lockdown to combat the spread of the Omicron variant this winter in the UK, a sad development during the first lockdown deserves revisiting.

First reported at the end of this past summer:

The number of 18 to 34-year-olds who classed themselves as smokers increased by a quarter, from 21.5% to 26.8%, says Cancer Research UK.

One possible reason? Stress due to the pandemic, of course!

But another possible reason is that people who might have vaped had less access to vaping supplies, thanks to the fact that vape shops were deemed non-essential retail.

Of course, places that sell cigarettes, such as news agents, grocery stores and petrol stations, remained open.

A more-than five percent increase in youth smoking should be well sufficient reason for the UK government to reconsider classifying vape shops as non-essential.

Indeed, the UK Vaping Industry Association called for vape shops to be reclassified as essential retail establishments this past January.

They look at the fact that former smokers -- who make up the vast majority of UK vapers -- went back to smoking tobacco during lockdown.

And what makes this even more problematic for the UK government is that it has pledged to make the country smoke-free by 2030. 

To that end, it has strongly recommended vaping as a means to quit smoking, going so far as to consider prescribing e-cigarettes to smokers, citing its own research stating that vaping is at least 95 percent safer than smoking.

Those concerned about losing access to vaping supplies once again, and the adverse effect that has already had on the health of the nation, should contact their Member of Parliament. 

And gently remind them that shutting vape shops while trying to get people off smoking doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Stephen “Tex” English: tex@thejuicewarehouse.co.uk; Insta: @tex_vapes