Agenda item

To consider a report updating Members on the latest trends, research, local developments and national policy on vaping, in order to take a view on our approach in York.

The committee considered an update on vaping in York.Officers provided an overview, noting that vaping required a nuanced public health approach as while there was strong evidence that e-cigarettes were the most effective tool for helping smokers quit, there was also concern about the increase in children and young people taking up an addictive new habit.

Members discussed issues around public protection in relation to underage sales and illegal vapes. It was noted that Public Health had funded a retailer vaping scheme to remind all retailers of their responsibilities. One in eight recent test purchases for underage sales had been successful and led to prosecution, and over £13,000 of illegal vapes had been seized from two shops in March. Enforcement was intelligence-led; the Citizens Advice website was the best way to report information to Trading Standards. Samples could be sent for testing if there was suspicion around the content of vapes although this was not routinely done. It was also noted that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill would increase the responsibilities of local trading standards teams.

The committee enquired about the Council’s Health Trainer service, which offered four weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or e-cigarettes alongside behavioural support to support residents in quitting smoking. It was noted that the service had the fourth-best quit success rate in England. The Public Health team was looking to extend the offer beyond four weeks and to embed the service into communities across the city.

Members also discussed vaping amongst children and young people in York. It was noted that data from the latest School Health and Wellbeing Survey carried out by the Public Health team suggested that a quarter of those aged 12-17 had tried vaping, up from a fifth in 2021, whilst 100% of secondary/sixth form children who took part said they did not know where to get help to stop smoking or vaping, despite a youth offer within the Health Trainer service. New Ofsted duties and the risk behaviours strand of the recently commissioned Healthy Schools Programme should lead to this figure improving over the next two years; it was noted that children and young people were not typically able to point to relevant services but that good pastoral support would link to these. A resource pack was being promoted at all secondary schools, including printed materials and a presentation designed to be used in PHSE lessons, and similar packs aimed at primary schools were being considered, although NRT was only licensed for those aged 12 and over. The possibility of using the next survey to engage young people in disseminating accurate information about smoking and vaping was also discussed, including the use of film media.

Resolved:

             i.                To note the report.

            ii.                To recommend a review of the smoking and vaping resource packs supplied to secondary schools with a view to similar packs being produced for use in primary schools.

          iii.                To recommend that officers work with councillors and community partners to promote the work of the Health Trainer service.

          iv.                To recommend that the next School Health and Wellbeing Survey be used to engage with young people to get their help in communicating accurate information about vaping.

Reason:     To support the ambition of ending smoking in York and promote the two strands of the public health approach to vaping in the city.