THE COUNTY council is backing the Local Government Association’s (LGA) call to ban the sale and manufacture of disposable vapes by 2024.
Worcestershire County Councillors voted unanimously to support the LGA’s view for single use vapes to be banned at its November Full Council meeting.
The LGA said it is crucial the ban comes into effect rapidly to reduce the risk of the products flooding into the UK, following a proposed ban in France by December this year and in the EU by 2026.
It also highlights that disposable vapes are a hazard for waste and litter collection and cause fires in bin lorries.
Councillor Karen May, cabinet member for health and wellbeing for Worcestershire County Council said: “It is fantastic to have cross party support here in Worcestershire about Vaping.
“Vaping can be beneficial for those attempting to quit smoking, but the support behind this motion shows that our county councillors are all concerned about the number of people vaping who have never smoked.
“Another area of real concern is vaping among young people, and the access they have to vapes.
“This is an area we have made real progress in and we are working closely alongside our Trading Standards team to ensure they have the support they need for this to continue.”
The motion also called for the Council to continue to build on the successful enforcement work across the county.
This year, the county’s Trading Standards team have removed 12,000 illegal vapes and disrupted further sales.
The final part of the motion called for work to continue with schools to highlight the dangers of vaping for young people, and to promote the ways in which disposable vapes can be recycled.
Locally, Coun Karen May, in her role as leader of Bromsgrove District Council convinced her fellow district colleagues to work together to submit a report to the governments consultation on tackling youth vaping.
