Warning dangerous vape incident is 'not isolated'

A child falling ill from what is believed to be a dangerous vape was "not an isolated incident", according to an MP.

An 11-year-old boy was hospitalised after using a vape in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset on Tuesday. The vape's contents are being tested by police.

The town's MP Dan Aldridge said he was "deeply concerned" by the news, and was calling on the government to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Avon and Somerset Police said enquiries were continuing after the arrest of a teenage boy in connection with the incident. He has since been released under investigation.

Emergency services were called to The Italian Gardens in Weston-super-Mare at 15:42 BST on Tuesday.

The boy was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.

Aldridge said: "My thoughts are with the child and their family, and I'm relieved to hear they are now stable.⁠

⁠"I know this is not an isolated incident and I am working closely with the relevant authorities, including the police, council and Trading Standards, to ensure action is taken to that will keep our community safe.⁠

"⁠I have raised my concerns directly with ministers to ask for further action to prevent incidents like this from happening again.

"This includes how we back our police with the powers they need to act decisively against those bad actors who put our people at risk."

While it is not yet known what the boy in this incident may have ingested, research by the University of Bath has uncovered a "high prevalence" of spice in vapes seized from English schools.

Spice is a highly dangerous, addictive, and illegal synthetic cannabinoid designed to mimic the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Christopher Padney, from the university, said its research continued to show there was "large amounts of spice vapes and vape liquids in schools".

He said they are often advertised as THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, but in reality children were being sold spice - which is cheaper to produce.

"This then appeals to young people who do not have significant disposable income, but who view cannabis (THC) as relatively safe," he explained.

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