James Evans MS, Shadow Minister for Mental Health & Wellbeing is today welcoming the conjoint efforts of the UK and Welsh Governments to crack down on single use vapes, by banning them all together. Responding to comments made by the UK government's Department of Health and Social Care, which said it was "concerned about the rise in youth vaping and the environmental impact of disposable vapes”.
James said.
“Vaping has invaded the high street and, more worryingly, our children’s schools. I grow increasingly concerned that elements of lead, nickel and chromium are being found in many of these single use vapes which are being widely used by our young people. The World Health Organisations own analysis has shown that toxins such as these can negatively impact the central nervous system and the brain development of young people.”
James goes on to say.
“I think it’s safe to say, children should not be able to purchase these harmful products. We need to see the Westminster and Cardiff Bay Administrations cracking down hard on retailers, preventing them from selling single use vapes to children and by introducing legislation that bans their production all together. We cannot sit idle while a potential health pandemic brews amongst our country’s future. Vapes have meaningful and relevant role to play in weaning adults off cigarettes but they should not be seen as a recreational product.”
James Evans will continue to support efforts on legislation being introduced by the UK government to turn back the tide on single use vapes and encourages the Welsh government to work constructively on delivering this.