Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, highlighted the acute rise in vaping among children in the House of Commons which is already creating significant health, wellbeing and social issues among our young people.
From health issues, to disrupted sleep patterns, to children not being able to sit exams without the need to use their e-cigarette, initial reports of the impact growing numbers of children vaping are startling. As such, Dr Hudson, sounded the alarm in the Chamber this week, to start a conversation about how we can better manage the problem and keep our young people safer, healthier and ultimately happier.
Dr Hudson’s comments came during Justice Questions in the House of Commons where Justice Secretary – and Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor – Dominic Raab responded to his question.
Reports of vapes that exceed the legal nicotine level, number of puffs, and even containing illicit substances are also growing.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“It is rightly illegal to sell vapes to under-18s, and I thank the Justice Secretary for reassuring the House that our Government is committed to tackling the illicit trade among children.
“Vapes, I believe should be used to help adults quit tobacco smoking and to overcome nicotine addictions, not create them. That is why I am particularly concerned about the marked rise in vaping among our young people. In the short- and medium-term children are developing health, wellbeing and behavioural issues and in the long term we just don’t know what the health consequences might be. What we do know is that brightly coloured and sweetly flavoured nicotine products are clearly being marketed to our young people, be that through conventional means or via social media.
“It is important that Government is proactive in its decision making, so I will continue working on this issue with ministerial colleagues to safeguard our children's health for years to come.”
Dr Hudson’s comments echo those of England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Witty, who also recently called for urgent action to curb the growing number of under-18s who have taken up vaping.
Without a great deal of peer-reviewed studies available, Dr Hudson is concerned that the UK could be blindly walking towards a public health crisis. As such, he recently tabled several Written Parliamentary Questions to establish issues such as the medical risks of vaping in young people, the scope of the problem nationally and what is being done to stop under-18s vaping.
All Dr Hudson’s written questions and answers can be found by searching his name here: www.questions-statements.parliament.uk
Full exchange in Parliament during Justice Questions:
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, asked:
“While we know that vaping and e-cigarette products can reduce the harms of tobacco smoking in adults, these products are not risk free. And there's an alarming popularity for vaping amongst under-18s, even in primary age children. There are concerning reports of schoolchildren becoming addicted to these products, disrupting their sleep patterns, leaving lessons and even exams to vape.
“Could my Right Honourable Friend therefore assure me that the Government is taking action to prevent the promotion and illegal sale of vapes to under-18s and to prosecute those who break the law in this regard?”
Dominic Raab, Secretary of State for Justice, replied:
“Can I thank my Honourable Friend. As he will know, vapes can only legally be sold to those over 18 in this country. We limit nicotine content, refill bottle and tank sizes, and there's also restrictions on labelling and advertising. When there's any evidence of any breaches, we expect, and I know that the law enforcement authorities take that very seriously.
“And more generally, given the age group we're talking about, the Department of Health and Social Care is exploring a range of new measures, particularly about addressing youth vaping and preventing and spreading awareness of the harms.”
