Call for ban on vapes in schools

COUNCILLORS CONCERNED OVER HEALTH RISKS

- ALISON STEPHENSON

A CALL for schools to ban single-use vapes to prevent children becoming addicted to nicotine has been supported unanimously by Plymouth city councillors.

While welcoming reports that the government is preparing to ban the disposable e-cigarettes, councillors want to take action now to prevent potential health risks to children as young as 11 who they say are taking up the habit in the city.

They are also concerned about the environmental impact of the devices, with five million vapes going to landfill a week, enough to fill the pitch at Plymouth’s Home Park 22 times over.

Cllr Terri Beer, who proposed the motion, said young people who have never smoked are tempted to vape. “This is having a clear impact in our schools with evidence of unruly behaviour by some students and an impact on young people’s learning,” she said.