Government plans to ban disposable vapes have been welcomed by Staffordshire County Council bosses concerned about children's health.

The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled, according to recent figures, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds now using the devices.

County councillors raised fears at a recent meeting that vapes were being targeted at children, through the use of colourful packaging and tempting flavours. There are also concerns about vape shops operating close to schools and colleges in the county.

In Stafford Borough educational sessions are set to be delivered in primary and secondary schools to help reduce vaping. Stafford Borough Council is teaming up with Re-Solv, a local charity which focuses on reducing addiction and substance misuse, to deliver age-appropriate sessions on e-cigarettes.

New powers set to be introduced nationally would restrict flavours and make manufacturers produce plainer packaging however. And there would be new fines for shops caught selling vapes illegally to children, with Trading Standards officers will empowered to act 'on the spot' to tackle underage sales.

The number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled, according to recent figures (Pixabay).

Victoria Wilson, the county council's cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards, said: "There is no doubt that disposable vapes have been a key driver behind the alarming rise in youth vaping so a ban on them is very welcome. Vaping is acknowledged as an important tool for quitting smoking; however, we remain concerned about the growing number of young people vaping.

"Our officers have seen a huge rise in the number of illegal vapes being offered for sale, particularly illegal vapes which appear to be marketed towards children. Growing evidence also suggests that vapes and e-cigarettes are an environmental concern and a potential fire hazard – a ban on disposable vapes would benefit Staffordshire by not only safeguarding children's health but also safeguarding the environment."

Staffordshire Trading Standards has conducted dozens of "test purchases" as part of action to crack down on underage vape sales.Trish Caldwell, the county commissioner for regulatory services and community safety, said at a November council meeting: "Health advice is clear – young people and those who have never smoked should not vape.

"Encouraging children to use a product that is designed for adults to quit smoking is not acceptable. Due to the nicotine content and the unknown long-term harms, this carries a big risk for children and also that addiction element.

Councillors raised fears that vapes were being targeted at children through the use of colour and flavours (SWNS).

"We are seeing regularly promoted vaping products that are clearly designed to appeal to children through flavours, descriptions and the instore marketing, despite the fact there is a risk of nicotine addiction. There are fruit and dessert flavours and attractive wording can be used as well, so you see things like 'berry blast' – things you associate with children's confectionery."

Councillor Janet Eagland also speaking at the November meeting, said: "I'm very concerned about vaping because it was brought to my attention some months ago about just how natural it is for children to be able to use this vaping system. They share it amongst themselves as well.

"Why can't we have the same restrictions we have with tobacco? It took us a long time to restrict the rules around selling tobacco to everybody, whether children or adults and we're going to have to go down this road with vaping because it's on the increase."

----------

READ MORE: New supermarket could be built in Smallthorne if plans are approved

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.