THE borough council will urge the Government to restrict the sale of disposable vapes, following a campaign by an Andover councillor. 

Cllr Iris Andersen, who has previously expressed concerns about the amount of underage people who are vaping, proposed a motion at a meeting of Test Valley Borough Council on Wednesday, October 25. 

In the UK, vapes (e-cigarettes) are regulated as consumer products that can be legally sold to anyone over 18. The Government encourages adult smokers to switch to vapes as they are substantially less harmful than smoking.

However, vapes should not be used by people under the age of 18, with restrictions in place to prevent their uptake and use.

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Cllr Andersen said: "This is an issue that is very deep in my heart because of our young people in the borough are starting vaping so very young. This is extremely concerning when these same young people are going to have to sit an exam hall on multiple occasions for up to two and a quarter hours. This lack of focus is being brought about by their constant need for a nicotine fix.

"It is really important that the main thing is to get rid of disposable vapes that young people are smoking, and encourage our Government to change the market, packaging and sale of these vapes."

Cllr Andersen brought a bag filled with vapes and their packaging, which she had found scattered across the town. She also expressed concern about the environmental damage the vapes were causing, and the increased litter as a result.

"My main motion is to stop this completely and to stop the single-use vapes and the way it is marketed towards the younger generation, and to make us realise that this is an issue that will affect the NHS in years to come."

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"We need to concentrate on getting this nipped in the bud."

Cllr Luigi Gregori said: "I've observed Cllr Andersen's campaign going back to June and entirely support her approach. There are a number of issues such as health and environmental problems with these, and the danger of these creating fires.

"The other thing that is concerning is the amount of young people vaping - young people are getting addicted to vapes. We're not at the stage of realising the long-term implications associated with this. I fully endorse the position and think we need to do a lot more about educating young people about the health concerns."

Teenage vaping is a pressing issue, according to a survey from the campaign group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), which shows that experimental vaping has risen to 20.5 per cent in 2023, with 7.5 per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds regularly vaping.

Cllr Alan Dowden said: "I will support the motion today. I have a number of concerns on this, not only because of the lithium content in these vapes which have been known to cause fires, but also because of the health implications on our young people."

Cllr David Drew added: "I think the councillors make very valid points and the motion speaks for itself, and I think it would be absolutely right to ban the sale of these disposable vapes. Firstly they are cheap, and they are imported from abroad where the regulations and standards are not of the same level. 

"I think the lithium that is referred to is within the batteries, which can cause fires and has been known that quite a few hundred fires a year in refuge lorries and similar, and quite a few of our own across the county."

The council voted unanimously in favour of Cllr Andersen's motion.