A third of young people in East Riding vape, survey finds

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is now trying to discourage vaping among young people.

Author: Laurence GriffinPublished 4th Jul 2023

Despite it being illegal to sell vapes to under-18s, one in three young people in the East Riding have tried them, and one in ten vape on a regular basis.

Around a quarter of respondents to the new survey said they like the different flavours and the taste of vapes, and almost two thirds said they vape to look 'grown up'.

Councillor David Tucker is responsible for Health and Care at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and said: "What is really worrying is that some of these vapes are targeted at children with the flavourings, the colourings and the packaging to catch them while they're young.

"It's completely and utterly immoral but also dangerous to the children's health."

Vapes can be used to help people quit smoking, but over 90 percent of young people who vape have never smoked.

Cllr Tucker said: "I worked in intensive care in Hull for at least 15 years and I saw the effects of smoking.

"It worries me that these children are vaping now because short term they are going to develop coughs, shortness of breath and headaches, and this could cause cancer in these children in years to come."

Over 3000 illicit vapes have been seized in Goole, Bridlington, Beverly and Withernsea, and a vape was said to have caused a bin lorry fire in Leven near Beverly last week.

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