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Council have passed a motion on Vaping at the December Sustainability and Environment Committee meeting. The motion aiming to end children vaping in schools was put forward by Newry City Councillor Geraldine Kearns with an amendment added from Slieve Croob Councillor Helena Young.
The council discussed the rise in underage sales of vapes in Northern Ireland, with Cllr Young noting a 65% increase since 2022. A report on the motion produced by Council saw that out of 117 test purchasing exercises carried out at premises in 2023 and 2024, to check with age of sales compliance saw 10 premises selling e-cigarettes/ vapes to U18's and as a result received or are in the process of receiving fixed penalty notices.
It was agreed that Council would write to the Minister of Education and Minister for Health urging them to bring forward a plan to end vaping in school grounds and to reduce the number of young people vaping. It was also agreed that all other Councils in the North should be asked for their support in tackling this issue.
Cllr Kearns said "With myself working in school, I see first-hand, children can't sit, they need to get out, need to vape, and then when they dispose of them, they're down the pipes in the toilet, and then that causes blockage. It would be good to see it banned and out of the schools altogether."
Single Use Vape Ban
Councillor Young also welcomed a ban on the sale and supply of single use vapes which will come into force on 1 June 2025 from legislation put forward by her party colleague the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affair Minister Andrew Muir.
A single use vapes working group has been formed between Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Each nation is progressing its own legislation and have agreed a joint coming into force date of 1 June 2025.
The legislation provides for criminal sanctions for failure to comply with the regulation, with a maximum penalty, on indictment, of up to two years imprisonment and a fine.
Councillor Young said ‘’It is estimated that as many as five million single use vapes are thrown away in bins or littered every week across the UK, rather than being recycled. Single use vape waste can have a devastating impact on our environment and biodiversity and this ban will also benefit our environment and consequently our general health and well-being.
Businesses will have six months to prepare for the change by selling any existing stock of single use vapes. During this period DAERA will work with retail organisations and other stakeholders to ensure those affected understand the ban and their new subsequent responsibilities.
The 2024 Underage Vape Sales report notes that, in Northern Ireland, there was a 65% increase since 2022 in confirmed cases of businesses unlawfully selling vaping products to underage persons.
Motion from Councillor Geraldine Kearns with amendment from Cllr Helena Young
"That this Council recognises that the 2024 Northern Ireland Audit Office report on tackling the public health impacts of smoking and vaping, shows an increase in 11- 16-year-olds vaping;
This Council is concerned that children vaping in schools is detrimental to a child's health and educational outcomes;
Agrees that greater awareness must be raised with children in schools about the risks of vaping;
Acknowledges that teachers and school staff must have the support and resources they require to raise awareness and inform children on the risks of vaping;
We agreed to write to the Minister of Education and Minister for Heath urging them to bring forward a plan to end vaping in school grounds and to reduce the number of young people vaping and eradicate the sale of vapes to children:
We will also write to all other Councils in the North asking for their support in tacking this issue."
