Concern over vape display near sweets - council

Flavoured vapes including cotton candy and strawberry ice cream are positioned on the confectionary aisle in B&M

Sweet flavoured vapes are being marketed on the confectionery aisle of B&M in York.

The council said its trading standards team would visit the Foss Island store to discuss the position of the products.

Recent figures show the number of 11-17 year old children using vapes in the past three years has tripled.

B&M was approached for comment, but did not respond.

A spokesperson from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said: "Recent data shows a worrying growth in vaping amongst teens and young adults”

Councillor Jenny Kent, executive member for environment and climate emergency, said: “It’s hard to see how anyone thinks it’s ok to market vapes to children near the sweet aisle, whether it is technically legal or not."

According the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the City of York Council’s trading standards team plan to talk to the retailer about how the products are being sold.

"Out of sight"

Councillor Bob Webb, executive member for children, young people and education, said it was "concerning to see products specifically for adults marketed in this way".

Mr Webb added: “The health and wellbeing of the young people of York is one of our top priorities."

A government consultation on proposals to restrict the flavours and descriptions of vapes closes on 6 December. Regulation of packaging, presentation and sale of disposable vapes are also being considered.

A spokesperson for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said the government should "prohibit child-friendly branding, and put products out of sight and out of reach in shops".

In York, free support is available to anyone who wants to quit smoking or vaping via the City of York Council’s health trainers.

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