{"id":23266,"date":"2024-10-01T14:17:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T13:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk\/vaped\/?p=23266"},"modified":"2024-10-23T15:34:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T14:34:28","slug":"is-enough-being-done-to-stop-underage-vaping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.totallywicked-eliquid.co.uk\/vaped\/is-enough-being-done-to-stop-underage-vaping\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Enough Being Done to Stop Underage Vaping?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you a parent or carer concerned about underage vaping? If so, you\u2019re likely to be invested in finding out what is actually being done to tackle this concern. In this article I\u2019ll explore the perceived prevalence of underage vaping – is it as rife as the media would have you believe? I\u2019ll also address concerns about what is currently being done to stop underage vaping and who should be held responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no doubt in anyone\u2019s mind that children should not be vaping and shouldn\u2019t have access to vapes. Vapes are designed to help adult smokers quit and shouldn\u2019t be used by anyone who would not otherwise be smoking. They certainly aren\u2019t intended to be bought or used by anyone under the age of 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we determine how to tackle the problem of underage vaping, it would be sensible to establish how big of a problem It actually is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the last few years, particularly, there\u2019s been an avalanche of sensationalist headlines about the \u201cYouth vaping epidemic\u201d[i]<\/a>. Many of these articles highlight the effects of vapes that are in fact illegal[ii]<\/a>, or have been tampered with[iii]<\/a> . Unsurprisingly, these headlines can cause panic and make parents, teachers, and carers extremely anxious. Yet, how accurate are these reports?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Underage Vaping \u2013 Facts and Figures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be clear, if any number of children are vaping, there\u2019s a problem. However, it\u2019s also important to be accurate about how many children are vaping in the UK and what measures should be taken to prevent this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) one in nine children currently vape.[iv]<\/a> A significant proportion of these have been influenced by their peers. In fact, the report shows that there has been an increase in the number of children stating that they vape \u201cbecause others do\u201d. ASH also reveals that 69% of children who have tried vapes use disposables.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Illustration<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, with these statistics in mind, should there be an outright ban on disposable vapes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are Disposable Vapes the Problem?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Disposables<\/a> can offer a fuss-free way for adult ex-smokers to switch to vaping and stop smoking for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NHS[v]<\/a> and the Government both show support for the use of vapes to stop smoking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, Andrea Leadsom, The Parliamentary Under-secretary for Health and Social Care stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe best thing a smoker can do for their health is to quit smoking. As shown recently published Nicotine Vaping in England Report there is evidence that vapes are less harmful to health than smoking.\u201d[vi]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The NHS website says that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201c\u2026Vapes or e-cigs, they\u2019re far less harmful than cigarettes and can help you quit smoking for good.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Single-use vapes are undoubtedly popular, with 30% of adult vapers using disposables as their main device.[vii]<\/a> Therefore, it is an understandable concern that an outright ban on disposable vapes could result in adult ex-smokers returning to their unhealthy habit.[viii]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is Responsible for the Prevention of Underage Vaping?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Government<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the enforcement of laws around vaping, it could be said that the buck stops with the law makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government is aware that in addressing the problem of underage vaping they need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201c\u2026Get the right balance between protecting our children and supporting adult smokers to quit.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Government\u2019s proposals to prevent underage vaping<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Responding to widespread concerns about underage vaping, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak announced plans to tackle underage vaping In October 2023. The Government subsequently launched a consultation regarding youth vaping. Initially, this consultation gathered the opinions and experiences of anyone of any age on various aspects of vaping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proposals within this consultation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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