Council reacts to vaping health scare
By MARCUS STEAD
Officials at the Vale Council have published a tweet urging parents to come forward with information about children obtaining alcohol, vaping devices and cigarettes illegally.
The tweet, published on Monday, encourages people with information about anyone buying these products for an underage person to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the website at crimestoppers-uk.org
The statement was issued in a week when Trading Standards in England and Wales said the market is being flooded with unsafe, disposable vaping devices aimed at children.
The colourful, sweet-flavoured devices are growing in popularity among teens, but selling e-cigarettes or vapes to children is illegal, and every vaping product containing nicotine must be registered by the medicines and healthcare products regulator, the MHRA.
Large numbers of vapes are being smuggled into the country. They can look similar to regulated brands, but often contain dangerous amounts of nicotine and e-liquid.
A recent survey from anti-smoking charity ASH suggested nearly a third of 16 and 17-year-olds had tried vaping, and 14% are currently regular users.
The survey found that 7% of 11-17-year-olds are vaping, up from 4% in 2020. Experts have blamed the rise on social media sites like TikTok and Instagram, where videos showing off vaping tricks have racked up tens of millions of views.
In some cases, social media influencers encourage youngsters to purchase the devices, which are posted in discreet packaging, and are sometimes hidden inside other products such as boxes of chocolates to avoid attracting the attention of their parents.
As vaping devices are relatively new, the long-term effects of using them are not yet fully understood.
In recent months, there have been several reports of teenagers being hospitalised due to the effects of vaping, including nicotine overdose and lung damage.
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