Spice-spiked Vapes

In an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Wera Hobhouse, the Member of Parliament for Bath, raised concerns about the discovery that one in six vapes confiscated in schools contained the synthetic drug Spice. Hobhouse explained that research conducted by the University of Bath had revealed this alarming finding, with Spice being detected in confiscated vapes in nearly three-quarters of the 38 schools studied across various regions of England. Hobhouse emphasized the serious health risks associated with Spice, which is a highly addictive class B drug commonly used in prisons and linked to numerous instances of children collapsing at school and requiring hospitalization. She expressed concern that these Spice-laced vapes are often made to look like normal products and sold as containing THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, leading children to inadvertently consume the dangerous substance. Hobhouse urged the government to address this issue through the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, suggesting several amendments to the legislation. These include improving regulatory oversight for online platforms to prohibit the sale and promotion of Spice-laced vapes, expanding enforcement strategies beyond retail channels, and requiring schools to implement educational programs on the dangers of Spice and deceptive marketing tactics. In response, Dame Diana Johnson, the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and the concerning research findings presented by Hobhouse. The Minister reiterated that vapes containing Spice are illegal and emphasized the government's efforts to protect children from the harms of vaping, including through the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The Minister outlined the key measures proposed in the Bill, such as stopping the branding and advertising of vapes and nicotine products to children, introducing a minimum age of sale for non-nicotine vapes and nicotine products, and providing the government with powers to restrict flavors, point-of-sale displays, and packaging. The Minister also highlighted the government's work to enhance the enforcement of underage and illicit vape sales, as well as the ongoing review of the relationships, sex, and health education curriculum to potentially include more content on the risks of vaping. Acknowledging the suggestions made by Hobhouse, the Minister expressed a willingness to discuss them further with the public health minister responsible for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, ensuring that the issues raised would be carefully considered.