Trading standards in England and Wales claim that the market is overrun with dangerous, disposable vapes marketed toward kids.
The bright, sugary-flavored gadgets are becoming more and more well-liked among teenagers.
Doctors are advising that children should be protected from illicit and unregulated items that contain high levels of nicotine because they are at risk from vaping.
Vaping, according to some teachers, is a growing issue in secondary schools.
In the UK, it is unlawful to sell e-cigarettes or vapes to children, and the medicines and healthcare products authority, the MHRA, requires that any vaping device marketed that contains nicotine be registered.
However, the BBC has been informed that there has been an increase in complaints to Trading Standards regarding illegal vapes and stores selling them to children, going from dozens each month last year to hundreds each month in 2022, with thousands of fake and unregulated goods being seized.
According to a recent survey by the health organisation ASH, 14% of 16 and 17-year-olds who have tried vaping currently do so. 7% of 11 to 17-year-olds now vape, growing from 4% in 2020.
Is vaping a risk-free choice?
Radio 5live discovered that two out of the ten establishments they visited that day were selling vaping items to females between the ages of 15 and 17 unlawfully when they joined Newcastle trading standards inspectors in conducting spot inspections on stores.
Child health specialists demand stricter regulations and the introduction of plain packaging so that vapes may only be promoted as a tool for quitting smoking rather than as a colourful and entertaining lifestyle item.
Dr. Max Davie from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health stated that vaping is not without risks and might even be addicted. “We must work to prevent kids and teens from picking up and utilising these goods,”
While e-cigarettes and vapes don’t contain the dangerous tobacco found in traditional cigarettes, they do contain nicotine, which is what causes addiction to smoking.
Along with other nicotine replacement medications like patches or gum, they are becoming more and more popular as a tool for quitting smoking.
While not risk-free, UK-regulated vapes, according to the Department of Health and Social Care in England, are far less dangerous than smoked tobacco. However, it still strongly advises against using them for children and non-smokers.
The amount of nicotine and e-liquid that is permitted is regulated by UK legislation, and packaging must include health warnings.
Vapes, however, are being smuggled into the UK in considerable quantities and are not intended for the UK market.
8,000 illicit vapes have been discovered at one location alone, according to Helen Donegan, senior trading standards officer of Leicestershire County Council, who told the BBC that “there’s no way of knowing what’s in them.”
Young people find them to be quite appealing, but they might be breathing illegal substances.
Some appear remarkably similar to well-known vape brands but are phoney; others have illegitimate levels of e-liquid and nicotine.
Disposable vape devices with up to 10,000 puffs are being offered in the UK in place of the approximately 600 puffs that UK regulations permit.
Dominic, a 17-year-old from Newcastle, quit smoking at the age of 15 to start vaping after seeing his peers start using them: About 90% of my friends smoke or vape.
Teachers in secondary schools have also noticed the issue. A recent poll of 3,000 people indicated that half had observed a student vaping in class within the previous year, and one in five teachers reported having observed a student as young as 11 using a vape.
More has to be done, according to the charity ASH, to stop the goods from receiving widespread advertising on websites like TikTok.
The chief executive Deborah Arnott stated, “Social media platforms should take responsibility and turn off the tap on the stream of glitzy vaping promotion on social media.
Every time a store is found selling vapes to kids, the UK Vaping Industry Association wants the government to “greatly increase fines to £10,000.”
Additionally, it calls for the licencing of businesses that sell vape items, with the licence cost going toward increased Trading Standards trading enforcement activities.
The Department of Health and Social Care in England advised against using vapes for anything other than helping smokers quit.
According to it, “proportionate controls for all vape goods relating to product safety, labelling, and advertising limits” have been put in place.
This implies that they must not resemble foods or cosmetics and must keep the nicotine content to 20mg/ml or below.
A spokeswoman stated, “We continue to strongly discourage non-smokers and minors from using them. They said that there are no current plans to raise the issued penalties, but the situation would be monitored.
According to the Department for Education, schools have the authority to prohibit vaping and seize any devices detected on students.
In the upcoming months, a government report on vaping among young people and adults in England is scheduled for release.
Ref: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62052286
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