Jordan North: The Truth About Vaping ★★★

There is an argument for Jordan North being Generation Z’s equivalent of Ken Bruce. The much-loved, long-serving Radio 1 DJ was recently allowed to depart the network and replaced by Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, who has far less radio pedigree. Another frustrating example of the BBC losing its best and brightest to the commercial sector.

Happily, he returned to the Corporation to front Jordan North: The Truth About Vaping (BBC Three) with his trademark warmth. As the Government moves to ban disposable e-cigarettes, the self-styled “presenter, podcaster and vaper” set out to investigate and decide if it’s time he packed them in.

One in seven 18-24-year-olds vape, the highest proportion of any age group. Half were previously nonsmokers. Concern is growing about youngsters being lured in by the bright colours and sweet flavours. I’ve personally seen 12-year-olds puffing away. The World Health Organisation says urgent action is needed to control their use and prevent youngsters getting hooked on nicotine. As a youthfriendly face with roguish charm, North was a smart choice to tackle this alarming issue.

Many vapers remain confused about exactly how harmful their habit is. North learned some harsh truths. As well as doing your lungs no favours, vapes can be detrimental to brain development. Illegal vapes, delivering higher doses of nicotine, are even more dangerous. North met Gemma from Essex, who believes that a decade of vaping has given her terminal lung disease, reducing her life expectancy. She was 34, the same age as North, which he found sobering.

Running on a treadmill while strapped up to beeping machines, he huffed “Stacey Dooley never had to do this” in reference to the youth channel’s queen of documentary-making. North has some way to go before he inherits Dooley’s crown but this was a promising start. Sure, it lacked a little depth but that’s to be expected in a 28-minute slot. And yes, he probably should stop vaping. Michael Hogan