Keep vapes out of children’s sight in stores, advise councils

They claim that too many minors are being marketed vapes with delicious flavours and eye-catching packaging unlawfully.

Doctors have issued warnings about the long-term consequences that vaping may have on the lungs and are advocating for more regulations on packaging and advertising.

Only smokers who wish to quit tobacco should use vapes.

Only those who are at least 18 years old can purchase vapes or e-cigarettes in the UK.

But among teens, who frequently use throwaway single-use items like Elf and Geek bars, vaping is becoming more and more popular.

They are sold in numerous High Street stores, including newsstands and phone stores, and are available in a range of flavours and colours. They are also advertised on social media. They are roughly £5 each.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents English councils, is advocating for vaping goods to be held to the same standards as cigarettes, including plain packaging and storage behind store counters where minors cannot access them.

Because they don’t create deadly tar or carbon monoxide from tobacco smoke or contain poisonous tobacco, vapes or e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes.

They often do, however, include the addictive drug nicotine, and if illicit devices are used, they may also contain potentially hazardous amounts of that element, in addition to others. According to health professionals, vaping has risks.

Regular vapers among young individuals have complained of nosebleeds, headaches, and sore throats. Others claim they have an addiction-like feeling.

“It is not right that stores are able to prominently display vaping paraphernalia for all to see, such as in a shop window, often in bright, colourful packaging that can appeal to children,” said councillor David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board.

Additionally, he described it as “deeply worrying” that more young people who have never smoked are beginning to vape.

The government should impose a tax on single-use disposable vapes in the Budget in March, according to health charity Ash, which has been offering materials for schools, parents, and teachers on how to deter youngsters from vaping.

“In one simple step this would reduce both child vaping and the vast quantities of single-use vapes being thrown into landfill,” says chief executive Deborah Arnott.

The organisation also advises banning product names with candy-like or cartoonish themes and mandating ID checks for customers who appear to be younger than 25.

According to a recent statement from Trading Standards, one in three firms have been found in violation of the law for selling vaping items to minors, and the organisation wants to see them subject to harsher sanctions.

Additionally, it frequently seizes lorry loads of illicit and counterfeit vapes from stores all around the nation as well as at Channel ports. Read More