Health warning over illegal vapes as summer holidays approach

Officers are warning young people and parents about the health risks of illegal vapes and the dangers of vaping-related exploitation as the school holidays approach.

Through proactive operations with our partners in Swindon, we are often seeing and seizing illegal, unregulated vapes in stores across the town.

These vapes tend to contain either a nicotine strength level exceeding the 2% legal limit, or they have a tank capacity exceeding the maximum 2ml limit.

They may also contain illegal, potentially harmful chemicals.

T/Inspector Winter, based in Swindon, said: “We know that vaping has become common among many young people, but we would urge you to be incredibly mindful over what you are inhaling.

“The laws around e-cigarettes are there for a reason.

“We don’t know the long-term health impacts of illegal vapes, and there is a real risk that unregulated vapes contain either a dangerous level of nicotine or chemicals you don’t know you’re inhaling.

“While we continue to work with our partners to clamp down on the illegal selling of vapes to under-age children, we are aware it continues to happen and we would urge any young person who is purchasing vapes, either online or in a store, to check what is contained within them.

“All legal vapes are marked with the kite mark and have the CE sign – this shows they meet the legal requirements.

“Don’t put your health at risk by chasing the nicotine high.”

On the link between vaping and child exploitation, T/Inspector Winter continued: “We are also aware of the emerging link between vaping and the exploitation of children.

“The prominent use of vapes among young people means they are increasingly being promised by criminals and county lines groups alongside traditional methods like cash, trainers and food.

“This exploitation can take many forms including sexual exploitation or underage recruitment where criminals coerce young people into distributing or selling vaping products illegally.

“We would ask parents to please be aware of this link and to look out for the signs that your child may be being exploited.”

Richard Steptoe, Public Health Principal at Swindon Borough Council, said: “Illegal vapes can cause serious harm to children and young people as they are unregulated and place users at risk of ingesting unsafe levels of metals such as nickel, lead and other harmful substances.

“The trade is often associated with children being exploited by organised crimes groups who use these products to entice young people to use them and sell them.

“We fully support regulated vapes sold by reputable retailers to adults who want to quit smoking. Anyone living in the Swindon area who is thinking of quitting smoking can access our stop smoking services at Sanford House on Wednesdays between 9.30am and 10.30am or from 2pm to 4pm.

“Alternatively email [email protected] or call 07341 077530 if you would like to quit smoking and access free evidence-based stop smoking aids.”

Whether you currently vape or not, if you have any concerns at all around vaping then there is support available.

For support, visit Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com) or Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

To report illicit vapes, you can either contact the police via our website or 101, or report it to Trading Standards at Report IT - Trading Standards South West (tssw.org.uk).