According to BBC News, a ban on smoking and vaping “outside city schools and in park play areas” could be introduced in Salford.
Reports suggest that nicotine addiction rates in Salford are the highest in the Greater Manchester area.
The Health and Wellbeing Board stated that it will “actively discourage the use of e-cigarettes by children, young people and non-smokers.”
In June, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) issued a statement urging the government to consider banning disposable e-cigarettes. Mike McKean, RCPCH VP for policy and paediatric respiratory consultant said, “Without a doubt, disposable e-cigarettes should be banned. There is absolutely no reason that these cheap, readily available, brightly coloured, recreational products should be single-use. Youth vaping is fast becoming an epidemic among children, and I fear that if action is not taken, we will find ourselves sleepwalking into a crisis.”
The report to Salford’s Health and Wellbeing Board, said, “E-cigarettes are regulated and are illegal to sell to those under 18 so we will ensure that this is enforced and monitored through regulatory services.
"We will also introduce smoke and vape-free zones where children and young people are present, for example, in park play areas and at school gates."
"Smoking disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities," the report said.
"A reduction in smoking prevalence would have a positive impact on all health and wellbeing policies."
While the data shows that smoking in Salford has fallen from 27 per cent in 2011 to below 20 per cent in 2022, the report points out that this “still equates to 40,000 smokers in Salford, which is the highest rate in Greater Manchester."
Commenting on the use of vapes, the report states, "The current evidence says that e-cigarettes are up to 95 per cent safer than smoking, for a period of one to two years, there is no current evidence in relation to long-term use.
"The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance recommends the use of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as a safe and effective smoking cessation aid.
"It does not recommend that non-smokers or young people start using e-cigarettes."
Smokers will still have access to behavioural support and quit-smoking aids. The report stated, “Everyone issued with an e-cigarette through this service will be supported to quit vaping within 12 months."