County council responds after reports of underage vaping

Test Valley Borough councillor Iris Andersen recently aired concerns to the Advertiser about the number of young people in Andover who had taken to the habit.

Cllr Andersen said she has been informed by residents about young people asking them to buy vapes for them, or in some cases were able to buy the vapes themselves where they were not being asked for ID.

READ MORE: Councillor expresses concerns over young people buying vapes illegally in Andover

She added that the increase in people vaping had also contributed to more littering across the town, with discarded packaging left on the floor and in verges, and vape stickers left stuck to numerous bins, lampposts and walls around the town centre.

Cllr Andersen previously said: "I think education should be given on vaping to try and discourage young people from taking up the habit. It has its purpose, which is to aid adults to stop smoking, but they are made to be too appealing with all the different sweet flavours and options on offer."

The county council's executive member for countryside and regulatory services, Cllr Russell Oppenheimer, said: "The use of vapes by young people across the country is widely acknowledged as a growing concern and we are grateful therefore, to be notified of any businesses who may be supplying them illegally.

Left: vaping, Right: Iris Andersen (Image: SmileSmith25, Canva)

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"Legislation prohibits the direct supply of nicotine-inhaling products to those under the age of 18, and it is an offence for an adult to purchase such products on behalf of someone under-age. We undertake regular covert operations to check whether retailers are selling to underage people. We are determined to stamp out this despicable and illegal practice.

“As outlined by the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, helping smokers to quit is one of the best things we can do for their health. Using vapes (e-cigarettes) is a quitting tool many addicted smokers find effective and, given the multiple and immense health risks of smoking, it is much safer to vape than to smoke. Swapping from smoking to vaping is therefore a positive health move.

"Vaping is however not risk-free and we want to prevent young people from taking up vaping as a lifestyle choice in the first place, as not enough is known about its long-term effects.  To this end, we are continuing work in schools and other places where we can talk to younger residents to promote healthy options, supporting young people to make the right choices for their health and wellbeing.”