Vaping
What are vapes?
Vapes were designed to help adults quit smoking by providing an alternative to smoking tobacco. They are electronic devices that heat e-liquids, the liquids come in a range of flavours and different nicotine strengths.
They are used by adults to quit smoking and remain smokefree.
Tobacco use causes significant health risks such as lung cancer heart disease, stroke, and chronic respiratory conditions like COPD. It’s the leading cause of preventable diseases and deaths. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of harmful chemicals, such as tar and carbon monoxide.
Vapes do not contain tobacco, or produce tar or carbon monoxide, which are two of the most harmful components of tobacco smoke.
It’s important to remember vapes are not designed to be used for anyone under 18 or for adults non-smokers.
How safe is vaping?
Vapes are less harmful than smoking and can be a helpful tool for smokers looking to quit, but vaping is not entirely risk-free, and the long-term effects are still being studied.
If you are planning to use a vape, its important to choose a reputable retailer for a safe shopping experience.
It may be tempting to buy cheap counterfeit vapes however they can cause serious health issues, a recent study found high levels of hazardous metals including Copper, Nickel and Lead in these vapes. Counterfeit vapes are illegal.
Information for Children & Young People
- Young people under 18 shouldn’t vape, their body and brain are still developing, and the brain continues to develop into their mid-20s, nicotine can interfere with that growth which can affect memory, attention span, and the way they learn.
- The only thing that should be going into their lungs is fresh air, fresh air is vital to development, it helps keep their lungs clean and is essential for breathing and delivering oxygen to their body.
- Nicotine is addictive which can make quitting difficult. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms happen when someone regularly vapes and then stops. Since the body has become used to it, quitting can make you them feel uncomfortable for a while. They may feel cranky, restless, tired, or have trouble focusing. Some people young people get headaches or get the urge to vape again.
- it’s illegal and a criminal offence for any aged 18 or older to buy vapes, e-liquids or any vaping products on behalf of anyone under the age of 18, this includes parents, family, carers or friends.
If you have concerns about vapes being sold to under 18s, here’s what you can do
If you think a business has broken the law, report them to Trading Standards. Trading Standards use the information given them to investigate illegal business activity and can take businesses to court or stop them operating.
It's crucial to recognise that vapes are being sold to young people from various locations and not just from vape shops or corner shops, this includes:
- Online
- Café/restaurant
- Food vendors
- Street market stall
- House/flat
- Work
If you are worried, have witnessed or are aware of young people being sold or given vapes for free, report directly to your local trading standards by using the relevant email:
Anonomous Reporting
You can also report anonymous, the form enables you to pass on information anonymously about local illegal tobacco sales and vapes, whether from local shop, houses or other locations. Information provided below should be anonymous, please do not provide your personal details. Please complete this form:
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Any information you provide will be treated in strict confidence and in line with data protection laws. Information will be shared with the relevant Trading Standards department and/or other Law Enforcement Agencies as deemed appropriate and will not be used for any other purpose.
You can also report to Trading Standards if you are worried, have witnessed or are aware of young people being sold or given vapes, cigarettes or illicit tobacco.
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Choose You - local support
Our local Choose You Service has some helpful guides which are free to access. Whether you’re looking to quit vaping yourself or support someone else, Choose You have guides to help you take the first steps. Choose the guide that fits your needs: https://chooseyou.co.uk/quit-smoking/vaping/
Choose You is a free local service to help you build healthy habits, like quitting smoking or reaching a healthy weight. If you live or work in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, or Milton Keynes, you can easily refer yourself – no need to go through a GP.
Please note, Choose You does not currently provide support to stop vaping unless you are using or about to start using home oxygen.
Talk to Frank
Get real advice, facts, and support about vaping and its effects. Frank's there to help you make informed choices.
https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/vapes#the-risks
Information provided by Claire Peter-Daly
Public Health Tobacco Control Practitioner
Choose You www.chooseyou.co.uk
Public Health – a shared service across Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Milton Keynes