Products mimic real cigarettes by lighting up realistically when 'smoked' and releasing a flavoured vapour resembling cigarette smoke
An electronic cigarette similar to one being sold to children in Middlesbrough
Fake cigarettes that light up and smoke just like the real thing are being sold to children.
The sale of disposable electronic shisha sticks to under-18s is legal. But one mother today warned they have become a trend among some pupils.
The products mimic real cigarettes by lighting up realistically when “smoked” and releasing a flavoured vapour resembling cigarette smoke.
Although the shisha sticks contain no tar, carbon monoxide, tobacco or nicotine, parents have expressed concern regarding the nature of the products.
Because “smoking” shisha sticks has become a youth trend, one concerned mother, who did not want to be named to prevent her son from being singled out, expressed her concerns.
She said: “My son came back from Middlesbrough town centre and asked me on the night if he could use this pen that he had bought from a shop there.
“I found it very unsettling that kids were imitating smoking and I was really shocked that they would sell them to children. My son has just gone 12 but his friend only looks about 10.”
Although shisha sticks do not contain nicotine the mother is concerned about the behavioural impact of using such products.
She said: “It’s very addictive just holding it. I have never smoked but I can see that if you have got that mentality it could easily be habit forming.”
The sale of zero nicotine shisha sticks is not prohibited and a bill going through parliament to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s will not cover zero nicotine products.
The debate resembles the controversy over candy cigarettes which many critics believe could desensitize children, leading them to become smokers.
The decision to sell is left up to individual retailers and views on the sale of shisha sticks has varied.
Councillor Julia Rostron, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for adult social care and public health, said: “While the sale of these products to under-18s is not prohibited, we would hope that any retailer in the town would act responsibly over who they sell to.
“The use of any product that may be classed as ‘smoking related’ could lead a child or young person towards tobacco, which should be discouraged as strongly as possible.”
Members of the e-cigarette industry agreed.
Andrew Payne, director of e-cigarette company Socialites, said: “We would never consider selling any of the zero nicotine products to anyone under the age of 18.
“Socialites do not sell to under 18s or promote any of our products to under 18s. This is the company policy and ECITA ruling.”
Nobody was available for comment at either or the two branches of the Middlesbrough store that sell the shisha sticks.
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