A CAMPAIGN to stop young people from using vaping products has launched across Brakcnell, Wokingham and West Berkshire.
The Public Protection Partnership team will be visiting schools across the areas to discuss with secondary school children the potential dangers of vaping.
Trading Standards teams will be conducting a number of visits to shops and supermarkets to check for under age sales and illegal vaping products.
As well as enforcement, the Trading Standards team will write to vape sellers advising them on the legal requirements on vaping products.
It comes after statistics from NHS Digital show vaping is on the increase with teenagers as 9 per cent of 11-15 year olds are currently using e-cigarettes. This is an increase from 6 per cent in 2018.
In most cases this is with children who have never smoked, but are taking up vaping.
The PPP said there is a rising concern with the partnership local authorities and health professionals as to the longer term impact this may be having.
Chairman of Joint Public Protection Committee Cllr Tom Marino said: “The issue of vaping and young people is a developing problem and in recent times, we have seized a number of illegal products that we have found at retailers.
"This campaign is a good example of the problem solving approach adopted by the shared Public Protection Service, and we are looking at the issue from all angles and adapting a strategy to address all aspects.”
Throughout the campaign the PPP aim to raise awareness with retailers as to the legal aspects of selling vape products, under age sales and legal limits of vapes allowed for sale in UK.
Raise awareness with the public regarding the legal limits of vapes which are allowed in UK, no. of puffs etc.
Enforcement of retailers regarding under age sales and illegal vaping products available for sale.
Raise awareness amongst young people regarding the potential dangers of vaping, unknown contents/strength, nicotine addiction, inhaling ‘foreign body’ into lungs.
The PPP will provide training for school staff on how to deal with their student’s vaping and also raise awareness regarding safety and environmental concerns of vaping.
There is also a risk when it comes to disposing of vapes (lithium batteries), the potential fire risk regarding battery disposal and charging.
This will be in partnership with waste teams and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue.
Senior Officer for Crime Prevention and Health Caroline Stevenson said: "Vaping is a useful tool when trying to quit smoking cigarettes, however our concern is the ongoing trend of young people taking up vaping who have never smoked.”
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