By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Crackdown on Youth Vaping Urged by Public Health Officials
Public health leaders across the East Midlands are raising alarms about the illegal sale and marketing of vapes to minors, calling for a regional crackdown. The Association of Directors of Public Health for the East Midlands has expressed deep concern over the rising trend of youth vaping, urging public health teams to closely monitor the situation. They are advocating for enhanced support for trading standards, calling for these agencies to be equipped with the necessary tools to enforce regulations and protect children and teenagers from the dangers of vaping.
Balancing Regulation and Access
The UK Vaping Industry Association has echoed the call for stricter measures to curb the supply of vapes to minors and eliminate illicit products. Currently, nearly 8% of 11 17 year olds are using vapes, according to a survey by health charity ASH (Action on Smoking and Health). The British Medical Association has also weighed in, emphasizing that vapes have no rightful place in the lives of young people.
In response to these concerns, the government introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aimed at finding a balance between restricting youth access and ensuring that adults trying to quit smoking still have access to vapes. The Labour Party, after taking over, has pledged to reintroduce the bill with additional measures, including a gradual increase in the legal age for purchasing tobacco.
The Association of Directors of Public Health for the East Midlands, representing senior health officials from various regions, has made it clear that e cigarettes are age restricted products and that marketing them to under 18s is unacceptable. However, the UK Vaping Industry Association warns that excessive bans could fuel the black market, hindering efforts to create a smoke free nation by deterring adult smokers from switching to vapes and pushing current users back to traditional cigarettes. The debate highlights the challenge of balancing public health concerns with the need for effective regulation.
