Debate contribution: Vaping: Dangers to Children

Debate contribution by Mr Colin Crawford on 22 October 2024.

MLA: Mr Colin Crawford
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 22 October 2024
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Vaping: Dangers to Children
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4608560

Text

It is unfortunate that vaping is often seen as harmless and perceived to be fun and a trendy alternative to smoking. The harsh reality is that it carries significant risks that we cannot overlook. Each year, countless young people are drawn into the world of vaping as they believe it to be a safe and fashionable choice, but let us be clear: vaping is not without serious consequences. It is often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, but the truth is far from that misconception. In recent years, we have witnessed a drastic rise in the popularity of vaping among our young people. What was once a trend, often dismissed as harmless and fun, has now revealed itself to be a serious public health concern. Research has shown that nicotine is particularly detrimental to the developing brains of our children and teenagers and can lead to addiction, reduced impulse control, diminished attention span and an increased risk of mood disorders. The level of youth uptake of vaping has doubled since 2023 from 3·2% to 7·6% due to the accessibility, attractiveness and relative cheapness of single-use disposable vapes. Schools are also aware of the impact of vapes, with many installing vape detectors to discourage young people from illegally vaping on school premises.
Furthermore, there are growing concerns about the illicit substances and vapes that have been found on school premises, and currently there is a lack of legislation to support schools and local authorities in dealing with the matter. An Audit Office report highlighted concerns about smoking, and especially vaping. The report found that there are 2,200 smoking-related deaths per year in Northern Ireland, with increases in smoke-related diseases such as lung cancer, premature heart failure and strokes, as well as around 35,000 smoking-related hospital admissions annually. Therefore, Members, it is essential that we look at ways to discourage people from starting to smoke and continue to reduce the overall prevalence of smoking in Northern Ireland. Short-term research has shown that vaping has a multitude of health implications for young people under the age of 25, but especially those under the age of 18. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that is often found in vapes, and it can cause serious damage to a young person's brain development, impacting their learning, memory and attention. With many studies still ongoing, it will be interesting to see the long-term effects of vaping on individuals. At the end of 2023, the Ulster Unionist Party published its vaping policy, and some of the suggested guidance and regulations from our policy paper include increased officer-led enforcement throughout councils to do spot checks on retailers and businesses that sell vapes to ensure they are not being proxy-purchased for children or sold directly to children, and harsher fines and penalties for businesses that sell those products illegally. In closing, I urge Members to take the issue to heart. Let us commit ourselves to raising awareness of the dangers of vaping among our young people. Together, we have the power to safeguard the health and future of our children to ensure they have the opportunity to thrive in a world free from the grip of addiction.

529 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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