CONCERNS have been raised about the number of underage children illegally purchasing and using vaping products in Gloucestershire.
It comes after a number of shops in the county have been caught selling disposable e-cigarettes to under-18s illegally.
Newer, disposable e-cigarettes are becoming more popular, thanks in part to their low cost and availability in a variety of colours and fruity flavours.
In August last year, teenage volunteers visited 29 shops around the county and were able to buy vapes from six shops in Dursley, Cirencester, Gloucester and Cheltenham in a Gloucestershire County Council trading standards operation.
Officers ran another operation in December last year and again in January, targeting shops that had previously failed and additional shops.
One shop failed on multiple occasions, and an investigation is now underway.
Dursley GP and Stroud constituency’s Labour parliamentary candidate Dr Simon Opher described the situation as ‘scary’.
“Although it is currently illegal to vape under the age of 18, if anyone has recently driven past a school at the end of a school day they will most likely see crowds of younger people vaping,” said Dr Opher.
“With the advertising of disposal vapes focusing on bright coloured packaging and names such as 'Gummy Bear Legend', companies are targeting the young and naïve.
“Recently, England’s chief medical officer, Dr Chris Whitty, described the marketing of vapes as 'utterly unacceptable'.
“Vaping delivers the nicotine to which smokers are addicted, without the extra harmful chemicals, and Public Health England endorses the switch from cigarettes to vaping.
“However, vaping has the reverse effect on younger users.
“Vaping at a young age increases the risk of becoming a smoker at a later date – almost like a gateway drug.
“Nicotine causes a rise in blood pressure and an outpouring of adrenalin.
“In addition, it is known to cause chronic lung disease in some people. Everyone should avoid adulterated vaping devices and those that contain THC (the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis), are especially dangerous.
“There is no doubt that it is better to vape than it is to smoke. However, best of all is to avoid inhaling any of these products.
“The scary thing is that because vaping is a relatively recent phenomena, we just don’t know what longer term side effects may be.
“It seems to me unlikely that there might be any upside.”
Karen Smith, head of Gloucestershire trading standards, said: “We continue to receive reports about the sale of age-related products, including disposable e-cigarettes, to young people.
“These reports reflect concerns from several sources including members of the public and schools about the access children have to vapes and inform the work of the service, including education and enforcement activities.
“Anyone with information about this matter can report it by calling 0808 2231133 or via the Trading Standards website.”
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