Youth vaping consultation launches

The government is planning to reduce the availability, appeal and affordability of vapes being promoted to children based on responses to the eight-week consultation.

• Vaping: 5 key questions about children vaping

• Conservative Party Conference 2023: Key discussions impacting children and young people

At the Conservative Party's annual conference last week, Sunak revealed plans to increase the legal age limit on buying cigarettes year-on-year meaning that young people aged 14 and under will never be legally allowed to purchase tobacco products.

The youth vaping call for evidence focuses on concerns around the underage use of vapes, counterfeit products and marketing strategies making vapes look more similar to sweets than a smoking alternative.

Sunak said: “Our ambitious plans will reverse the worrying rise in youth vaping while protecting our children from the dangerous long-term effects of smoking as quickly as possible.”

The overarching ambition is for England to be ‘smoke-free’ by 2030. According to a survey from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) the number of children vaping has tripled in the last three years.

Deborah Arnott, ASH chief executive, said: “This consultation will ensure all voices are heard and the balance is struck between protecting children while still helping adult smokers quit. However, consultation must be followed rapidly by legislation to be passed in this parliamentary session. There is no time to waste.”

Sarah Woolnough, chief executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Disposable vapes at their current pocket money prices, with cartoons and bubble-gum flavour options, are far too attractive and easy for children to access. We also want to see restrictions on the marketing of vapes and on flavours so that they do not target children.”

The Labour Party also called for a ban on marketing vapes to young people last month. The Local Government Association representing English and Welsh councils echoed the call.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said: “There has been a surge in vaping amongst children, which is why we’re taking action to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes. Vapes should never be used by children and we’re committed to reversing this trend. We also need to take bold action to protect future generations from the harms of smoking addiction, which damages health at every stage of life and costs the economy billions.”

A spokesperson for The Children's Society said: "Understanding the long-term effects of vaping on young people is vital which is why this review is timely. Our research already shows that substance misuse can harm young people's mental health, can be a result of grooming and exploitation or make them more vulnerable to negative influences and possible coercion.

"We believe this is far wider than just limiting access to vapes. We urge the government to provide early support for young people facing addiction or mental health struggles."

The Welsh and Scottish governments and the Northern Ireland Department of Health have backed the plans and agreed to a joint consultation.