But a prominent one vape campaigner has said demonizing all vaping products risks losing sight of what he called the “huge net positives”. The magnitude of the problem was illustrated by the recent seizure of 8,000 illegal vape in one building in the East Midlands.
Nevertheless, Mark Oates, director of consumer advocacy group We Vape, emphasized that it is important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
He condemned the “terrible” illegal devices – but pointed out that data published by the health organization Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) shows that vaping remains incredibly rare among young people, with 0.5 percent of 11-17 year olds who have never smoked with e-cigarettes regularly.
He added: “Vaping is recognized by the NHS, Cancer Research UK and the British Medical Association as an effective tool to help smokers quit.
“Vaping with approved licensed devices helps 70,000 people a year in the UK to quit smoking, with smoking still being the largest cause of preventable death in the world.
“We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that vaping is a huge net positive because it’s vastly safer than smoking.”
Helen Donegan, senior trading standards officer at Leicestershire County Council, told the BBC earlier this month: “There’s no way of knowing what’s in it.
“They make them extremely attractive to young people — but they could be breathing a banned substance.”
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According to Trading Standards in England and Wales, the colorful, sweet-tasting devices are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers and the number of shops illegally selling them to children has risen from dozens a month last year to hundreds a month by 2022.
The agency is now seizing thousands of counterfeit and unregulated products, while more and more teens have tried to vape, according to ASH.
ASH’s research shows that nearly a third of 16- and 17-year-olds have tried vaping, and 14 percent are currently vaping.
In April, Adam Afriyie, the Tory Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Vaping, issued his own warning about marketing vaping devices to children.
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He said: “Vaping has saved thousands of lives and helped millions of smokers quit, so it’s absolutely appalling that bad actors are trying to push these products to children.”
Mr Afriyie referred to a new report from Scottish Trading Standards (SCOTSS) showing that a total of 88,839 disposable vaping devices have been withdrawn from sale as a result of proper labeling in accordance with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
He added: “This report reflects the irresponsible marketing and availability of these products to under-18s which could undermine the UK’s progressive stance on vaping, and I am keen for the government to do more to limit access. of young people to avoid these devices.”
Speaking of the former health minister, he said: “I would like to see Sajid Javid and the Ministry of Health and Social Care urgently tighten Tobacco and Related Products Regulations to prohibit the use of colors, images and flavor names that have a direct appeal to young people under the age of 18, such as cartoon characters, toys or candy, and selling well-known popular household brands.”
Jane Buxton, general manager of the online business-to-consumer store e-liquids.compointed out that the NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are both calling for vaping to help people quit after it was found to be 95 per cent safer than cigarettes.
She added: “Vaping has long been a respected smoking cessation tool and is even recommended by the NHS and PHE.”
“Consumer confidence is key to helping people quit, which is why we make sure all our products are supplied by trusted manufacturers.
“With non-compliant products in general, it is now up to retailers and manufacturers to remain vigilant and transparent.
“Stricter regulatory enforcement is the only way to solve this problem.”
The Department of Health and Social Care in England said vapes should only be used as an aid to smokers who want to quit smoking.
It said it had “introduced proportionate regulations for all vape products related to product safety, labeling and restrictions on advertising”.
A government report on vaping among young people and adults in England will be published in the coming months.