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Spice-spiked Vapes
15 October 2024
Lead MP
Wera Hobhouse
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
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Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Wera Hobhouse raised concerns about spice-spiked vapes in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Research by the University of Bath reveals that one in six vapes confiscated in schools contain the synthetic drug Spice. The device developed to detect these drugs instantly has been tested in several UK regions, showing a concerning prevalence of Spice among students. Prof Chris Pudney’s findings suggest this issue is widespread across the country. Many children unknowingly use Spice because it's sold as THC-containing products, misleading them into believing they are consuming cannabis. This synthetic drug is highly addictive and often leads to severe health issues and criminal activity. The debate calls for increased awareness among parents and teachers regarding the dangers of these vapes and the need for specific measures in the tobacco and vapes Bill targeting illegal drugs.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
N/A
Order. “You” refers to the Chair, but the hon. Lady is referring to the hon. Member.
Government Response
Government Response
The Minister for Policing acknowledges the concerns raised about synthetic drugs in vapes, particularly Spice, which are illegal under current legislation. She highlights that the Government welcomes adult smokers switching to vaping as a safer alternative but discourages its use by children and non-smokers. The tobacco and vapes Bill aims to address high youth vaping rates with measures such as banning free distribution of vaping products, introducing an 18-year-old minimum age for sales, restricting flavours, and empowering the Government to regulate packaging and displays. However, she offers to consider proposed amendments from the Liberal Democrats regarding Spice detection and education initiatives. The Minister also emphasises the importance of health education in schools to prevent drug misuse and supports reviewing the relationships, sex and health education curriculum for potential additional content on this topic.
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