Officers from Redcar & Cleveland Trading Standards and Cleveland Police have been visiting local schools to warn children about the dangers of illicit vapes following reports of illegal substances being found in some devices.
The tour of secondary schools is part of an initiative to spread the word about the risks posed by illicit vapes, some of which have been found to contain Class B synthetic drug ‘spice’ and THCs, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. When inhaled these can cause serious health conditions including breathing problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and heart attacks.
Officers from the anti-vape school team (image credit: Cleveland Police)
Officers also reinforced the message that it is illegal for under-18-year-olds to buy vaping products.
Specialist tobacco detection dog Beans was also on hand to demonstrate how vapes can be detected and located, while vape amnesty boxes were set up to enable students to anonymously dispose of vapes safely.
The visits were organised by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Trading Standards team.
Redcar and East Cleveland Neighbourhoods Inspector Neil Deluce said: “My officers were pleased to support this important activity by educating the young people about the real dangers of these vapes and the risk they pose to anyone who uses them. Without specialist testing there is absolutely no way of knowing exactly what they contain and this is extremely concerning.
“Not only that, we reinforced the serious message that police will take robust action against anyone found in possession of these illegal substances – as well as anyone involved in supplying them.”
Councillor Ursula Earl, Cleveland Borough Council Cabinet Member for Health, Welfare and Housing, said: “This kind of direct engagement with young people is the best way of getting important messages across. If it stops just one child from doing something that could seriously endanger their health it is well worth it. I’d like to thank everyone involved.”
