‘Deeply concerning’ levels of vaping among young people prompts Derry council to call for stricter controls
Derry council unanimously voted for stricter controls on vaping due to alarming rates of use among young people.Summary
Derry City and Strabane District Council has unanimously approved a motion calling for stricter regulations on vaping, prompted by “deeply concerning” statistics on youth vaping prevalence. Councillor Aisling Hutton highlighted recent data showing that 98% of young people are aware of vapes, with 15% currently using them, a figure rising dramatically with age – from 4% in Year 8 to 46% in Year 14. The motion emphasizes that many young vapers (76%) had never smoked tobacco before trying vapes, and a significant portion (33%) subsequently experimented with cigarettes. Furthermore, approximately 40% of young people who vape reported negative side effects like breathlessness, headaches, and anxiety. The council will write to the Department of Health advocating for comprehensive regulation and enhanced enforcement of age-of-sale laws, as well as explore awareness campaigns for parents and guardians.
(Source：Derry Journal)
