Blackpool: The UK's Vape Shop Capital
Blackpool has been identified as the UK's vape shop capital, with children as young as 12 vaping openly on its streets. Data reveals that approximately 31% of children in the town use e-cigarettes, compared to 20.5% nationally, making them 50% more likely to vape than their peers elsewhere.
High Concentration of Vape Shops
Analysis of vape shop locations shows Blackpool has the highest number per capita in the nation, with 14 shops per 100,000 residents, versus five per 100,000 across England. This concentration has earned the seaside town its dubious title.
Parental Attitudes
Some parents condone the habit. One father of a 12-year-old girl said he uses vapes himself and trusts his children, believing nicotine-free vapes cause no harm. Another parent of a 14-year-old expressed no concern, stating, "It doesn't make me a bad mother." However, health experts warn of risks.
Health Risks and Hospital Admissions
An NHS Freedom of Information request revealed 138 teens in the UK have visited doctors for vaping-related emergencies, with victims as young as four. E-cigarettes can cause lung damage, pneumonia, and nicotine overdoses leading to dizziness and vomiting. Some hospitalisations involved vapes spiked with drugs.
Enforcement and Education
Blackpool Council's Public Health and Trading Standards teams are educating about vaping harms and conducting test purchases to prevent underage sales. In 2024, one shop was closed for three months for selling vapes and tobacco to minors. The council reports that none of the premises checked recently failed.
