By Lesley Walsh
MEASURES to prevent the sale of single use vapes to underage children should be a ‘top priority’ for Ards and North Down Council, according to a councillor who has witnessed the ‘devastating’ impact of other similar products.
The call follows a notice of motion to the council in January asking for ‘a full review of options to address’ the problem, including demands that Stormont introduces legislation to combat the importation of illicit vapes.
In a report compiled by council officials on the harm of vapes to young people, it touched on alarming revelations that vapes can be laced with illicit substances such as THC or ‘spice’.
In the report, presented to the May meeting of the Community and Wellbeing committee, the council’s head of Environmental Health Protection and Development recommended the council write to the Health Minister to express concern.
The report also called for legislation to ban vapes from vending machines and for retailers to register the sale of vapes in line with tobacco products.
Welcoming the report, Newtownards independent councillor Steven Irvine said he had witnessed the result of the abuse of one of the products listed.
Highlighting the ‘concerning ease with which young people can access vapes, e-liquids, and especially synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as “spice”, Mr Irvine spoke of their effects on families.
“The report underscores the urgent need for action to address this pressing issue,” he said. “I have witnessed first hand through extensive work with affected families, the devastating impact of these substances which cannot be overstated.
“From health complications to social and academic disruption, the consequences are dire and far-reaching,” he said.
He said among the most alarming facets of the problem was the accessibility of these products through various social media platforms.
“The ease with which young people can procure these substances online demands immediate attention and concerted efforts from all stakeholders. It is imperative that our council takes decisive action to prevent further escalation of this crisis,” he continued.
Indepedent councillor Wesley Irvine agreed, noting that gaps still existed in the legislation governing nicotine and non-nicotine products and expressed alarm at the appearance of vapes in vending machines.
Adele Faulkner, head of Environmental Health Protection and Development said from an enforcement point of view ‘the industry is a step ahead at all times’.
“When controls are put in around age limits and things like that in shops and because it wasn’t in the legislation, then more vending machines were introduced in areas that are attractive to particularly young people,” she said.
She expressed hope that the expected legislation would take those gaps into account to thwart marketing which leaves vapes openly on sale on counters in contrast to cigarettes which are kept behind casing in shops.
Deputy mayor Hannah Irwin, of the Alliance Party, welcomed the announcement by Andrew Muir, the Minister for the Department of Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, that he intends to ban disposable vapes.
“It’s good to see the cross agency agreement that this needs to be tackled,” she added and paid tribute to the comprehensive council report.
Councillor Robert Adair, of the DUP said that not only did vaping have a negative impact on young people’s health, it also proved dangerous to the local environment, revealing a fire had recently been started in his area due to a discarded vape.
