A HUGE spike in the amount of illegal vapes being seized by enforcement teams tasked with ridding Barnsley’s streets of dangerous items can now be laid bare after a document revealed more than 12,000 were confiscated over a two-year period.
A Freedom of Information request documents the rise in illegal vape use which, according to public health teams, contain higher levels of nicotine whilst being considerably cheaper to buy.
The Chronicle can reveal no data was recorded by Barnsley Council for seized vapes in 2020 or 2021, while just 13 were confiscated in 2022.
However, 2023 register 7,471 seized items, while last year enforcement officers took 4,958 from illicit traders, making a total of 12,442 - a staggering increase of 57,369 per cent in just two years.
It’s estimated that the street value of the vapes surpasses the £150,000 mark.
Barnsley Council’s public health boss, Anna Hartley, described illegal vape usage as ‘concerning’.
“All forms of nicotine are highly addictive and illegal vapes have higher-than-normal amounts,” she said.
“It’s not hard to see why vaping has grown in prominence
“They’re cheaper and they’re becoming more available.
“It’s important that children in particular are protected from being exposed.”
A new Tobacco and Vapes Bill passed its first two hurdles comfortably last year, with Barnsley North’s Dan Jarvis, Barnsley South’s Stephanie Peacock and Penistone and Stocksbridge’s Marie Tidball all voting in favour of proposed restrictions.
Subject to consultation, the sale of vape flavours which appeal to children - such as bubble gum, gummy bear and cotton candy - could be outlawed alongside restrictions on packaging that’s designed to appeal to young people.
It will bring in a total ban on vape advertising and sponsorship which will include displays that will likely be seen by children and young people such as on buses, in cinemas and in shop windows, bringing this in line with current tobacco restrictions.
Next, it will go through a committee stage, where MPs go through it, line-by-line, and propose and debate amendments./
Ms Hartley also told the Chronicle that Barnsley’s recently benefitted from using sniffer dogs whose noses have been trained to detect strong vapes.
“It’s worked well recently and they’ve uncovered some in a premises which had a false floor which would have been incredibly hard to detect,” she said.
“Anything unnatural that lungs are exposed to is a concern but the rise in youngsters vaping is an issue we want to take action on.”
Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said the council’s committed to clamping down on sellers who flout regulations.
“We’ll continue to take action against those who sell illicit products across our borough.
“I would like to thank our dedicated regulatory, enforcement and legal services teams working alongside South Yorkshire Police to identify those responsible.”
