Concerns are mounting in Dudley as children increasingly replace pacifiers with vapes, prompting calls for more decisive action to prevent youth smoking and vaping. Cllr Sue Ridney expressed these worries during the Dudley Council’s Social Care and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee meeting on March 16, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger public health initiatives targeting young people.
Ahead of the meeting at the Council House, Cllr Ridney observed youngsters openly vaping in public, describing the devices as “like dummies” in their hands. She stressed the irony, stating, “We wean our children off dummies, then hand them a vape. We must do more to discourage children from starting to vape because it poses similar health risks to tobacco.”
With Dudley set to receive a £376,364 grant for smoking cessation services in 2025/26, councillors debated how to best allocate these funds. Cllr Ridney called for comprehensive school programs and proactive public health outreach, lamenting the current lack of visibility and active engagement. “Public Health should be out there, not waiting for people to come to them. They should be upfront, clearly communicating the support available,” she asserted.
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According to the NHS Quit Smoking website, vaping is less harmful than smoking but is strongly discouraged for non-smokers and children. Despite receiving public health grants that equate to £76 per head in spending, Dudley trails behind neighboring Wolverhampton (£91) and Sandwell (£88), though it spends more than Walsall and Solihull (£71 and £60 respectively).
Beyond education, Cllr Ridney highlighted the role of local council planning policies, expressing concerns over the density of vape shops and off-licenses in small areas. She questioned the notion that councillors must accept the presence of vape shops nearby when considering planning applications. “Why can’t we say no? Now is the time to get back on track and take a firm stand,” she said.
As Dudley confronts these challenges, the call grows stronger for more vigorous efforts to safeguard children from early vaping habits that could lead to lifelong health issues.