Agenda item

To consider an update report from the Head of Democratic Services on youth vaping setting out recent legislative developments at Government level and an update on local activity to tackle the issue in Leeds. This follows consideration of this item in the previous municipal year and a request that the Board receive an update early in the 2024/25 municipal year.

Board members considered an update report from the Head of Democratic Services on youth vaping setting out recent legislative developments at Government level and an update on local activity to tackle the issue in Leeds. This followed consideration of the issue in the previous municipal year and a request that the Board receive an update early in the 2024/25 municipal year.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing

·  Cllr Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Children and Families

·  Cllr Andrew Scopes, Chair Adults, Health and Active Lifestyles Board

·  Helen Goddard, Advanced Health Improvement Specialist

·  Heather Thomson, Head of Service Healthy Living Team

·  Anna Ross, Head of Service C&F Public Health Team

·  Rob Clayton,Principal Scrutiny Adviser

The Chair highlighted the legislative background to this issue and the importance that is likely to have on the approaches taken in Leeds following the forthcoming general election. It was thought that the Board should adopt a watching brief pending the expected legislative developments through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

The Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing noted her past role as an Executive Board Member covering children and families and welcomed the role played by scrutiny and the challenge provided. The Executive Member wished the Board well in 2024/25 and noted the importance of the work carried out by the directorate and the board.

On the subject of youth vaping the Executive Member noted the legislative background and the importance of the growing issue of youth vaping in the city and the health consequences associated with it. The public health message on vaping was emphasised that for adults vaping is effective as a smoking cessation aid but a consequence of vapes being available is that children and young people have been able to access them and are becoming addicted to nicotine having had no intention of taking up smoking.

The Board were informed that ASH has surveyed public support for the tobacco and vapes bill and discovered that support for the bill was significant amongst the public suggesting that nationally 69% support the measures, in Leeds the figure is between 68% and 70% with between 11% and 12% opposing the policy. In respect of children and young people aged between 11-15 who will be the first generation impacted by the bill, nationally two thirds support the bill with fewer than 1 in 10 opposing.

In Leeds public health work is ongoing with partners to deliver training in schools and to sustain or increase the capacity of the cheap and illicit tobacco team across West Yorkshire. It was noted that vaping is an obvious and key focus but there are other ‘novel nicotine’ products that could be of concern.

The Board agreed to keep this on the Board’s agenda in 2024/25 and to await legislation. It was also agreed that the correspondence and the Board’s consultation response be sent to ministers once the outcome of the general election is known.

Board members also noted the need for early education approaches to tackle vaping, the issue of vaping on public transport and the prevalence of vape shops and advertising as ongoing issues.

The Chair also thanked Cllr Sandy Lay for his involvement in the work having initially brought this issue to the Board in 2023/24.

Resolved

The Board:

a)  Noted the update on legislative progress linked to the smokefree generation policy announcement and subsequent Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

b)  Noted the activity taking place in Leeds on youth vaping

c)  Agreed to maintain a watching brief on the issue in light of the expected legislative changes following the general election and bring an update report back summarising the expected changes.