COLOURFUL and sweet-flavoured e-cigarettes on display in shops are luring in Southend teenagers and putting them at risk of nicotine addiction, according to an investigation by Liberal Democrats.

Joyce Onstad, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson for Southend West, is now calling on the Government to crackdown on e-cigarettes - known as vapes - being sold in sweet flavours, such as bubble gum, strawberry and mango.

According to a 2021 study, nearly one in ten children between 11 and 18 have tried vaping products and about half of those regularly use vapes.

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It comes as Southend Council launched a survey aiming to gather the views of teenagers, parents and carers on e-cigarettes, with the results being used for awareness campaigns.

Ms Onstad said: “It’s outrageous that school children can pick up candy-flavoured vapes along with crisps at local outlets. Our teenagers are at risk. No one knows for certain the long-term health implications of inhaling this cocktail of chemicals.

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“The UK should join other places such as Denmark and the Netherlands in Europe and some U.S. states such as California in protecting them by banning flavoured vapes.

“The Government needs to take action now before more of our children’s lives are marred by addiction after being drawn into vaping by these innocent-looking, brightly coloured, candy flavoured vapes.”

According to the Lib Dem investigation, large displays in supermarkets show a wide array of sweetly flavoured vapes next to food, drinks and newspapers.

Liberal Democrat Eastwood Park councillor Paul Collins, responded to a concerned resident and alerted public health inspectors at Southend Council but was told the “displays are within the existing law”.

The resident was alarmed when her teenager came home with a vape and her 12-year-old child said most of her friends vaped or had tried it.

Thomas Cauchi, deputy youth mayor of Southend Youth Council, added: “I have seen an increasing number of young people vaping and many people now see it as normal and are not acting on it. Therefore, Southend Council want to help try and make a difference and promote these surveys to get as many views as possible from young people, parents and carers across Southend.”

Parents or carers can take part in the survey at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/youthvapingsouthend-parent/.

Teenagers can park in the survey at smartsurvey.co.uk/s/youthvapingsouthend/