Urgent vape warning as cops crackdown on underage users – here’s how to keep your kids safe
PARENTS have been given an urgent warning about vapes and cops crack down on underage users.
Police in Callington, Cornwall, have forcefully reminded locals that you have to be 18 to buy any nicotine product, including vapes, and that buying them for children is illegal.
The force is asking residents of the town to make sure that they are aware of the rules around the devices, amid reports that youngsters are getting their hands on them,
PC Jess Floyd said: “Whilst vaping products can appear attractive to young people with the array of colours and flavours, they still contain harmful and addictive substances and we encourage parents and guardians to have a frank and open conversation with any young people at home.
“There is a wealth of information online to help with this.”
PC Floyd added: “We have and will continue to confiscate any cigarettes and vapes from anyone under 18.
“This is then followed up with contact to parents/guardians. I would like to remind people that this is not an isolated issue just to Callington.”
It comes after popular brand ELFBAR were forced to recall some of their vapes from supermarkets after they were found to contain 50% more than the legal limit of nicotine.
The e-cigarettes are now under investigation by Trading Standards UK.
Retailers Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco have removed the watermelon ELFBAR 600 from its shelves
ELFBAR apologised and said the error was due to some of their products being fitted with larger tanks meant for other markets internationally.
One vape user, who got hooked on them when he was 11, recently revealed the impact they had on his health.
Sydney Prew said that he loved the e-cigarettes as they tasted like sweets, but has been left with a smoker’s cough and depression.
Meanwhile, a recent study found that vaping could put healthy young people at a higher risk of developing a severe disease.
Data from Action on Smoking (ASH) previously revealed that the number of kids vaping has increased.
The number of children that admitted to trying the products has risen from 14% in 2020 to 16% in 2022.
It also revealed that the proportion of children vaping is rising, up from 4% in 2020 to seven per cent in 2022.
The products are increasingly marketed at kids, with it previously having been reported that manufacturers were using enticing colours and packaging to lure in a younger audience.