Leading respiratory doctors in the UK raised the alarm on the epidemic of underage vaping, saying that it could lead to a generation with long-term addictions and lung damage. MailOnline launched an investigative report to find answers on what contributes to the increasing popularity of vaping among teenagers.
An Esport competitor exhales a vape as he takes part in a gaming tournament at the Epic. Lan 38 event on February 25, 2023, in Kettering, England.
Dupe Vaping Products Resemble Candy Packaging
Several vape retailers in the UK have been accused of using predatory marketing tactics to lure children into buying vape products, sparking calls for an outright ban.
An investigation found many sweet shops, including House of Candy and Prime Candy, selling a range of e-cigarettes in flavors, such as Blue Razz Lemonade, Fairground Wizz, and Grape Apple, with many styled on popular brands such as Chupa Chups and Skittles.
More so, the packaging of the vape products can feature cartoon characters, and some are even promoted on the video-sharing app TikTok. Campaigners argue that the tactics lead to increased nicotine addiction among young people.
The investigation identified the retailers on Oxford Street, the busiest shopping hub in Europe, and found many "dupe" vapes mimicking the branding of popular sweets and drinks. Many retailers were found to be advertising the products on window displays.
MailOnline, which conducted the investigation, also highlighted loopholes in the system, which enable anyone purchasing from online stores to confirm that they are over 18 by clicking a button.
The findings have raised concerns about the rise of vaping among children and call for the UK government to take action. Underage vaping has become a trend observed in the US, leading the Trump administration to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes last year. MailOnline previously reported that Neil O'Brien, the minister for public health, is also looking into doing the same in the UK.
Critics claim that the tactic aims to create a new generation of nicotine addicts who are then targeted with marketing campaigns. Professor Andrew Bush, one of the UK's leading pediatric respirologists, said that the colorful displays and sexy advertisements were aimed at encouraging children to experiment with the products.
Shops Selling Vaping Products to Kids Shut Down
Daily Mirror reports that shop owners who are found guilty of selling vapes to underage children are often getting away with fines that are seen as a poor deterrent. This is particularly concerning as some of the products sold can contain illegal ingredients, and experts warn that the levels of underage vaping are unclear.
Last month a store in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was closed under the Anti-social Behavior Crime and Policing Act after complaints of sales to children.
The owners attempted to evade the closure order by simply renaming the shop, but the police clarified that the closure applied to the premises. This was one of several stores to be closed or fined recently for selling vapes to minors.
In Derbyshire, Trading Standards closed Spondon Mini Market for three months after selling vapes to schoolchildren and counterfeit and illegally imported cigarettes. In Wales, Zany Shop in Aberdare was also given a three-month closure order after warnings.
Despite the law being clear that e-cigarettes must not be sold to anyone under 18, pupils managed to obtain them. While some stores have been closed, others have only received fines, and industry insiders suggest that this does little to deter future violations.
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