The UK town that's Britain's 'vape shop capital' - parents allow kids, 12, to smoke
Blackpool has the highest density of vape shops in the UK, leading to high usage rates among children as young as 12, despite legal restrictions.Summary
Blackpool has been dubbed the UK's 'vape shop capital' due to a high density of vape shops, with figures showing children in the town are 50% more likely to vape than the national average. A Healthwatch study found that 31% of children in the town use e-cigarettes, compared to 20.5% across the UK. The town's traditional seaside resort status has not prevented a surge in vape shops, with around 14 shops for every 100,000 people. Despite the legal age to buy a vape being 18, children as young as 12 have been spotted vaping in the streets. Parents often justify their children's habits, with one father stating, "I use a vape myself, so I can't really be surprised if the kids want to. I trust my kids to tell me what they are doing." Some parents believe nicotine-free vapes are harmless. However, NHS data reveals that 138 teens in the UK have visited doctors due to medical emergencies caused by vaping, including lung damage and nicotine overdoses. Blackpool council officials are working to educate the public about the harms of vaping and prevent illegal underage sales.
(Source：Daily Express)
