As the Government this week set out the next steps to achieve its Smokefree 2030 ambition, Dr Neil Hudson welcomed a clampdown on vapes being sold to under-18s and encouraged local stakeholders to engage in a call for evidence on youth vaping.
Health Minister Neil O'Brien announced a range of measures to cut smoking rates in England such as a pioneering new 'swap to stop' scheme which will encourage one million smokers to move to e-cigarettes, financial incentives to help pregnant women to quit smoking and a consultation on introducing mandatory cigarette pack inserts with positive information to help people quit.
Dr Neil Hudson welcomed the moves which will improve the nation's health, but especially focused on Government moves to stop underage children buying vapes and creating nicotine habits in the first place. The MP for Penrith and The Border has been pushing hard for such measures by tabling Written Parliamentary Questions and raising the issue on the floor of the House with the Justice Secretary.
Details of this intervention can be found here with an accompanying video: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/dr-neil-hudson-mp-sounds-alarm-parliament-frightening-rise-vaping-among-children
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
"I'm really concerned that with their bright colours, sweet flavours and the weight of social media seemingly behind them, vapes are being pushed at our young people threatening their long-term health and wellbeing.
"I have raised my vaping unease with the Justice Secretary at Justice Questions and with tabled parliamentary questions, and I've been really pleased the Government is listening and with their proactive response. Cracking down on the sales of vapes to under-18s and from children using the products is clearly and rightly being prioritised by Government and I will continue to work with Government on this issue.
"For the health of our young folk it is imperative that local stakeholders engage with the call for evidence so Government can build up an accurate picture and respond accordingly."
Crucially the Health Minister committed to a crackdown on illicit vapes sales, which has been tied to the rapid rise in children vaping.
NHS figures for 2021 showed that 9% of 11- to 15-year-old children used e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.
In recognition of the sharp increase, Minister O’Brien will launch a call for evidence on youth vaping to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vape products - and explore where government can go further.
Working with enforcement agencies and learning from the government’s work with Trading Standards on illicit tobacco, £3 million of new funding will also be provided to create a specialised ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ to enforce the rules on vaping and tackle illicit vapes and underage sales.
Dr Hudson is urging individuals and organisations to engage with the call for evidence on youth vaping. To find out more, visit: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/youth-vaping-call-for-evidence
For more details on this announcement, visit: www.gov.uk/government/news/smokers-urged-to-swap-cigarettes-for-vapes-in-world-first-scheme
