No more free vapes for kids
A loophole that allows the vaping industry to give free samples of vapes to children in England is set to be closed under new plans announced by the Prime Minister to clamp down on youth vaping.
Recent NHS figures for 2021 showed that 9% of 11 to 15 year old children used e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.
Selling vapes to under 18s is illegal, however it is clear that businesses are targeting children, which has prompted this action to crack down on this.
The government has also announced today that there will be a review into banning the vaping industry selling ‘nicotine-free’ vapes to under 18s.
I am deeply concerned about the sharp rise in kids vaping and shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of school children.
Our new illicit vape enforcement squad - backed by £3 million - is on the case, but clearly there is more to do. That is why I am taking further action today to clamp down on rogue firms who unlawfully target our children with these products.
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.
In a recent Action on Smoking and Health Smokefree GB Youth Survey 2023 of 11 to 17 year olds, 2 out of 5 young people said they smoke vapes “just to give it a try” and about 1 in 5 because “other people use them so I join in”.
That is why action will also be taken in schools, making sure that dedicated police school liaison officers across the country are using new resources to keep illegal vapes out of schools.
The health risks of vaping will also be included in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) lessons, as part of the government’s ongoing review of RSHE, in order to further discourage children from taking up vaping.
While the rise in illegal vaping by young people is a cause for concern, many addicted adult smokers have found using vapes helpful as a quitting tool.
In April, the government announced a national scheme, meaning almost 1 in 5 of all smokers in England will be offered a vape starter kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit.
