Councillor Proposes Prescription-Only Nicotine Vapes Amid Concerns

Concerns regarding the health effects of vaping on children have led Redcar and Cleveland councillor Ceri Cawley to propose that nicotine-based vapes should be available only by prescription. Cawley expressed her “huge concern” over the increasing visibility of vaping among young people, despite recent data indicating a decline in usage among children aged 11 to 17 over the past three years.

During a meeting of the Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny Committee, John Stephenson from Public Health South Tees presented data showing that, while vaping among youth has decreased, it has become more socially acceptable and noticeable in public spaces. He emphasized that while vaping can be an effective tool for adults seeking to quit traditional tobacco smoking, it is not suitable for individuals who have never smoked before.

Cllr Cawley highlighted alarming trends, stating, “We are seeing children who have never smoked a cigarette in their lives addicted to nicotine.” She suggested that nicotine-based vapes may need to be prescribed similarly to medications like tablets and patches that assist smoking cessation. Stephenson acknowledged that public health officials would support such measures but noted that nicotine can have medicinal applications and is currently not restricted to prescription-only products.

The committee discussions also addressed concerns regarding dangerous substances in some vapes. Cllr Cawley pointed out previous incidents where young individuals were hospitalized due to vapes laced with drugs like ‘spice.’ A representative from the council’s trading standards department explained that enforcement actions against illegal vapes primarily fall to the police, reflecting the challenges posed by limited resources.

Vaping products, especially oversized vapes, have raised alarms due to their nicotine content, equivalent to a full sleeve of cigarettes. The trading standards officer reported that the illegal vape trade has become a “massive problem,” with over 23,000 vapes seized in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland since 2023. These actions rely heavily on intelligence from the public to dismantle sales networks.

Educational initiatives are also in place to address the issue. Public health teams regularly visit schools to provide information about vaping. A “live reporting tool” has been introduced for teachers to document incidents of substance misuse among students. In the first quarter of this year, 38 people in Middlesbrough and 32 in Redcar and Cleveland successfully quit vaping after being referred or self-referring to support services.

Vaping allows users to inhale nicotine in vapor form, created by heating an e-liquid that typically comprises propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and various flavorings. This method is considered less harmful than traditional smoking due to the absence of many toxic chemicals found in cigarettes. It is illegal to sell vapes to individuals under the age of 18, and as of June 2023, the government has imposed a ban on the sale of disposable vapes.

The ongoing discussions highlight the complexities surrounding vaping regulation and the need for continued public health efforts to protect young people from potential harm.