Welcome to the British Paediatric Respiratory Society
The British paediatric respiratory society, BPRS, is a multidisciplinary organisation which exists to promote the respiratory health of all children and to improve the health of children with respiratory disease.
Membership of the Society is open to health care professionals who are active in the field of paediatric respiratory medicine.
Why join the BPRS?
You will keep in touch with colleagues working in your field, and be able to have a say in matters affecting paediatric respiratory medicine.
Meetings
The BPRS holds business meetings at the RCPCH spring meeting and at the BTS winter meeting.
For Trainees
Welcome to the Grid in PRM.
You have 2-3 years to complete your training, and be ready to take your place as a consultant ready for tertiary practice in the specialty.
ERS Membership
BPRS members benefit from reduced ERS Membership
Statement from the BPRS President on the Ban of Disposable Vapes
The British Paediatric Respiratory Society (BPRS) strongly welcomes the implementation of the UK Government’s ban on disposable vapes, which came into effect on 31 May 2025. This marks a critical and evidence-based step in protecting children from nicotine addiction and the harmful respiratory effects of vaping. Disposable vapes have been a major driver of youth vaping, with nearly 1 in 10 secondary school pupils now regularly using e-cigarettes. These devices, often cheap, sweet-flavoured, and brightly coloured, have been heavily marketed to children and young people. As paediatric respiratory clinicians, we are seeing the consequences – increasing reports of coughing, wheeze and breathlessness in children who vape, many of whom have never smoked. These products are not risk-free, and the long-term impacts on developing lungs remain unknown. We are also pleased to see recognition of the significant environmental harm posed by disposable vapes – with over 5 million discarded weekly, they contribute to lithium waste, fires in recycling plants, and wider pollution.
While the ban is a welcome step forward, it must be accompanied by robust enforcement to ensure products do not remain widely available through non-compliant retailers or online platforms. This must also be seen as the start of a wider drive to protect child health. We urge the Government to fully deliver on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – including restrictions on flavours, plain packaging, and removing vape displays from sight in shops. Tighter controls on marketing, alongside public education and monitoring of emerging products, are vital to prevent further harm. At the same time, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death, and we fully support measures to phase out tobacco sales to the next generation. The BPRS remains committed to working with partners across child health to create a truly smoke-free generation – one where no child becomes addicted to nicotine or has their lung health compromised by vaping or smoking.
Dr Julian Legg
President, British Paediatric Respiratory Society
1st June 2025
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