Grimsby Parents Criticise Vape Shops That Sell Toys

A shop in Grimsby which sells sweets and toys alongside vapes is causing concern among some parents.

Grimsby Toys and Vape in Pasture Street was established in March 2023.

Some parents said shops should not be allowed to sell vapes, toys and sweets in the same premises, claiming it could encourage children to start vaping.

When the BBC asked for a comment, shop staff said no one was available.

The government is planning to ban disposable vapes, to help cut the number of children vaping.

Dr Mike McKean, paediatric respiratory consultant and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health vice-president, previously said the UK government should “without a doubt” ban disposable e-cigarettes.

“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,” he said.

Carolina Walker, from Grimsby, told BBC Radio Humberside: “It’s inciting children to do stuff they don’t know about. We don’t know what’s in them. It can be toxic.”

“I know from experience they’re still selling them to under 18s. The government need to be doing more about this.”

Felicity said: “Really, if you’re going to have a vape shop, have it as a vape shop not as a little supermarket that sells toys as well.”

Lesley, who also lives in Grimsby, added: “I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. They should not be allowed. We have enough vape shops as it is. We don’t need kiddies having them.”

Figures from the Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) charity, external suggest 7.6% of 11 to 17-year-olds now vape regularly or occasionally, up from 4.1% in 2020.

In January, the government announced plans to prevent vapes being marketed at children and to target under-age sales.

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