Today at 5pm Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, led a parliamentary debate of the frightening rise of vaping among under-18s and how we can better protect young people from the potentially catastrophic damage this is having on their health, wellbeing and social outcomes.
Having secured the debate in Westminster Hall, Dr Neil Hudson MP welcomed MPs from across the political divide, as well as Health Minister Neil O'Brien, to explore this crucial issue for our young people. All were supportive of Dr Hudson’s commitment to stamping out vaping among children.
The rise in children vaping has been astounding. According to Action on Smoking Health (ASH), in 2022, 7.0% of 11–17-year-olds were current users, compared to 3.3% in 2021.
With bright colours, sweet flavours and a wealth of social media posts behind them, Dr Neil Hudson MP is concerned young people are being targeted by vape producers and putting their health at risk. From lung, heart and gum problems to disturbing sleep patterns and disrupting learning – the short-term issues are myriad. The long-term effects of vaping are still not fully understood, and it is feared even more problems await child vapers. Moreover, it seems vulnerable young people, such as those with mental health problems, may be more likely to use vapes according to ASH Scotland.
Dr Hudson’s speech drew in part from the experiences of educators. Educators spoke of children as young as 11 trading vapes, children needing to leave classes to vape under the guise of needing the toilet and increasing numbers of children trying vape products.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“I was really keen to shine a spotlight on the public health ticking time bomb of vaping in under 18s by triggering and leading a Debate in Parliament on this vital issue. Vapes have a role to play to help adults stop tobacco smoking, not create nicotine addiction among our children. Yet, as I have been hearing from educators - and now from MPs across the nation - a frightening rise in young people vaping risks us blindly stumbling towards a public health crisis. There are also significant environmental concerns with the disposal of vapes, including the huge wastage of Lithium and the risk of fires.
“It was a privilege to trigger and lead such a critical debate and I must thank everyone who attended. Cross-party support will be imperative to overcoming this growing issue and safeguarding our young folk.
“The Government is rightly pushing ahead with plans to further tackle youth vaping, but by adding valuable insights from across the country, this debate will help decision-makers move further and faster towards resolute solutions. For my part I will continue campaigning for the health and wellbeing of our children.”
This debate represents the latest in Dr Hudson’s anti-youth vaping campaign that has seen him sound the alarm on the frightening rise in vaping among children on the floor of the Commons Chamber; tabled numerous parliamentary questions; and urged local people to have their say on the Government’s call for evidence on youth vaping. More can be found here and here.
A passionate environmentalist, the Penrith and The Border MP, was also concerned at just how much waste is produced by the 1.3 million disposable vapes thrown away every week in the UK.
Dr Hudson is urging individuals and organisations to engage with the call for evidence on youth vaping. To find out more, click here.
To re-watch the debate from 17:00:00, visit: www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/97414fdd-6ceb-4b7a-bb93-f7c877ee7cd8
A full transcript will be made available at hansard.parliament.uk
