Kent labelled hotspot for underage vape sales
Kent has reported the highest number of vape sales to children compared to any other region in England, new figures reveal.
Data collected by Kent’s Trading Standards recorded 391 incidents of vapes being sold to underage buyers between the years 2022 and 2024.
The information was collected by a volunteer group of teenagers who went undercover in vape stores across England to complete test purchases.
The five counties with the highest reports of child vape sales can be seen in the graph below:
Whilst the sale of nicotine vapes to under 18s is illegal in England, it is clear this is a problem on our high streets concerning both parents and professionals.
Kent County Council’s director of public health Dr Anjan Ghosh stated: “ While vaping can help adult smokers quit, anyone who doesn’t smoke should not vape.
“It is not risk free and its effects on undeveloped bodies are not fully understood.”
However, councils like the one in Kent are working hard to combat this issue.
Kent County Council’s public health communications officer, Scarlett Elworthy said: “KCC is actively addressing youth vaping through various initiatives including crackdowns on illegal sales, education programmes and the roll out of more smokefree spaces.”
She stated that if you are worried about underage vaping you can report it to the following helplines:
Vapes@kent.gov.uk – To report unlawful vape sales in your area.
Crimestoppers phone line 0800555111 – To file an anonymous report on underage purchases
Information on vaping and the effects on under 18’s can also be found on the following KCC approved links:
https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/vapes
https://localvapeaction.co.uk/#post-22
Mark Jones, a paediatric first aider at a school in Folkstone shared his concerns on how accessible these products are for children.
He stated: “ I see a lot of children on my morning commute to work stood outside of corner shops, and I worry that they are attracted to the bright colours and flavours of vape products.
They are too young to know the real dangers, but their bodies are still small so filling their lungs with these harmful toxins is only harming them.
“It is short-term fun turning into lifelong damage, and the figures have shown it’s out of control.”
Between the years of 2022 and 2024, Kent County Council also funded a vape seizing project which saw 896,271 non-compliant nicotine products removed from the streets.
Feature image credit pexels