To receive reports on vaping habits and nicotine use by Children in Trafford from a Public Health Consultant, Population Health Fellow, and Healthwatch Trafford.

The Population Health Fellow outlined the scope for the investigation, due to the concern of the increasing risks and numbers of vaping in secondary schools. The Population Health Fellow provided detail on the study and the means used to collect the data, which had included online surveys. The Chief Officer, Healthwatch Trafford, gave an overview of the responses to the survey, highlighting issues with knowledge on the dangers of smoking and vaping, and the different interventions taken by parents. The Public Health Consultant referred to the Trafford tobacco alliance, which brought together partners on smoking and tobacco control, and informed Members of work done by Early Break, looking at vaping, which had provided specialist support.

The Chair thanked Officers for attending and the report. The Chair raised concern on the data, specifically, that a third of children had reported that they vaped as they woke up. The Chair also asked about the work being done to prevent unregulated vapes being sold. The Public Health Consultant referred to the tobacco alliance and the arrangement which had been organised with licensing to provide funding to eradicate the sale of illegal vapes. This funding had produced services such as 1-to-1 cessation support.

Councillor Ennis asked questions on several topics including; whether there was more required to reach parents through the survey; including children before year six in the survey; the impact of the cost of vaping; and whether more could be done on social media to reach young people

The Public Health Consultant highlighted the primary school findings to have stood out, with the vaping guide and other material being made available to primary schools soon. On challenging the cost, the Consultant referred to the balance between encouraging vaping to adults who smoke, and deterring children from taking it up, with the aim to tackle illicit vapes. The Officer informed the Committee that the prevalence of vaping in children had not been predicted. The Public Health Consultant took the good point on social media and was to take it back to her colleagues in Public Health.

Councillor Sutton impressed by the work, asked whether the service was understanding how it worked well, so that it could be used in other areas in the future. The Member did not expect the number of young people under the age of 11 vaping to be large, asking whether public health was aware of any research done elsewhere which had highlighted these issues. The Member finally asked what could be done to reach out directly to school senior leaderships teams (SLTs).

The Public Health Consultant highlighted that learning from the methodology was a live discussion, which was being considered across several different forums. On the data of under-11s, the Population Health Fellow highlighted limited research elsewhere but wanted to understand the vaping habits of these children, echoing her shock at the statistic. Finally, the Consultant informed Members that the vaping guide would be shared, and direct discussions would take place with primary school heads.

Councillor Duncan shared with the Committee an email he had received from a young resident of their opinion on vaping and asked whether tackling mental health issues in young people in Trafford could reduce the level of vaping, highlighting the young persons view that many were aware of the dangers but did not care for the risk.

The Corporate Director for Children’s Services found the feedback helpful and reassured the young person that the Council was working hard to ensure that there was several avenues and routes for young people’s voices to be heard. The Corporate Director offered to pick up a conversation with the young person or any of their peers to ensure that their opinions were listened too. The JM agreed with Members on the significant research undertaken in the report, highlighting the onus now on officers to provide a challenge to the issues.

The Chair asked what snus was as outlined in the report. The Population Health Fellow informed Members, with its usage slowing growing. Following this response, the Chair thanked the officers for providing the report and responses to the questions received.

            RESOLVED:

1)    That the reports and survey be noted.

2)    That the Corporate Director for Children’s Services offer a conversation with the young person by contacting Councillor Duncan.