Growing up in the United Kingdom, I never imagined that I would see our youth under threat from a new, dangerous trend. My friends daughter just 12 years old, recently confided in me about her friends experimenting with vaping. What shocked me the most was not just her story but the sheer appeal these vapes hold for young people. The bright colors and enticing flavors are nothing short of a marketing trap, deliberately designed to allure the youngest in our society.

It's alarming to note that over the past few years, vaping among adolescents has soared. According to Public Health England, nearly 25% of school-aged children have admitted to trying e-cigarettes and other vape products.

If you can’t buy a menthol cigarette why on earth can you buy a bubble gum flavoured or tutti fruity vape? 

Simultaneously, research from Action on Smoking and Health shows that young people are drawn to the varied flavors and colorful packaging – making these products accessible and enticing, unlike traditional cigarettes which are heavily regulated in terms of advertising and packaging.

The lack of stringent regulation on vaping products is a significant oversight in our public health policy. We are witnessing a public health crisis brewing with e-cigarettes potentially becoming a gateway to nicotine addiction for our younger generation. This petition calls for immediate action to regulate vapes in the same manner as cigarettes and tobacco.

Firstly, we demand that the packaging of vapes be standardized and stripped of bright, attractive colors that are designed to catch the eyes of children and teenagers. Secondly, we call for a restriction on the selection of flavors available, eliminating those that mimic fruits, sweets, and other confectioneries. Lastly, all vaping products should face the same advertising restrictions and health warnings as cigarettes, ensuring they are not glamorized or falsely perceived as safer alternatives.

There is immense potential for change if we act now. Canada and the US have already taken steps towards stricter vaping regulations, setting an example that the UK can and should follow to protect our youth. By signing this petition, you are lending your voice to a cause that ensures the health and safety of future generations. Please stand with me in demanding tougher regulations on vape products, so we can prevent their harmful impact on our children and communities. Sign this petition today to help safeguard the health of our youth.