A worried parent has called for a crackdown on a vaping “epidemic” among children on Tyneside.
Council bosses have been urged to launch new action against shops selling vapes to kids, amid reports that hoards of youths are flocking from North Tyneside to Byker to buy them. It is illegal to sell vapes to under-18s, though nicotine-free products can currently be sold, while Rishi Sunak announced on Tuesday that the Government would close a loophole allowing retailers to give out free samples to children.
One dad, from Whitley Bay, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he had been left feeling “powerless” to stop his 13-year-old daughter sneaking off to buy vapes and had noticed her travelling to areas that she did not visit before – including to shops in Byker where she could get served. He and his wife were recently at a burger bar on Shields Road and spotted groups of kids coming out of Byker Metro station and “puffing away” on vapes as they returned surrounded by plumes of vapour.
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The father, who asked not to be named, said: “I think the only thing that can be done is to have a zero tolerance approach… The only way to stop this happening is to prosecute. Since I was a kid, challenge 25 has been around for alcohol and people seem more concerned about selling drinks to kids than vapes. But they are both over-18 products.
“The only way to stop it is to make retailers fearful of selling vapes to underage kids. This is an epidemic affecting all kids and it is something we should be clamping down on in a tough way – especially in areas where you know it is happening, it doesn’t take much to work out who is doing it.”
Newcastle City Council admitted that there are “significant issues” with children vaping and said that it had recently seized 1.4 tonnes of illicit e-cigarettes. A spokesperson added: “We are very aware that there are significant issues with those underage both living in Newcastle and in the neighbouring areas of the city having access to both legal and illegal vaping products. Although the proportion of young people who vape has increased, only a minority of young people vape.
“Where intelligence has identified a business premises allegedly flouting the law, enforcement action including the use of test purchasing exercises has been undertaken to tackle the sale of these products to those who are underage. Together with Northumbria Police officers, there have been a significant number of intelligence led visits which have identified and seized 1.4 tonnes of non-compliant vaping products.
“Any reports of suspected illegal activity from business premises in Newcastle can be made through to the Citizens Advice Consumer service helpline 0808 223113 or via email at tradingstandards@newcastle.gov.uk.
“For adults who smoke, E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used quitting aid in the UK and vaping carries only a fraction of the risk of smoking. While vaping can help smokers quit and is less harmful than smoking tobacco, it is not risk free and people who do not smoke, especially young people, should not take up vaping. For advice on how to stop smoking visit Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)”
The Prime Minister has said he is “deeply concerned” about an increase in children vaping and was “shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of schoolchildren”. NHS figures from 2021 showed that nine per cent of 11-15 year olds used e-cigarettes, up from six per cent in 2018.
As well as cracking down on free samples, the Government has also said there will be a review into banning retailers selling “nicotine-free” vapes to under-18s. Mr Sunak added: “The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty called the decision to close the loophole a “very welcome step”, while the move was also welcomed by industry figures.
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