The following motions have been received in accordance with Procedure Rule 16:

a)    Motion received from Councillor Dan Thomas and supported by Councillors Simon Harris, Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Ian Nellins and Lezley Picton

 

Shropshire Council believes that the use of disposable vapes by young people is concerning. The marketing of colourful, candy-flavoured vapes that are relatively cheap with easy access to them will create a new generation of nicotine addicts and the subsequent public health crisis. We've seen a seven-fold increase in 11 to 17-year-olds nationally choosing single-use vaping products since 2021. The overall message for adult smokers that they are 'better than smoking' means many think they are not harmful, yet there has been no specific research undertaken into the health impacts of vaping on young people’s development, including their respiratory health, and impacts for adults in the long term are not yet clear.

 

We are particularly concerned about disposable vapes which contain lithium and copper. These elements are crucial for our efforts to tackle climate change through the green transition. Shropshire has a unique and beautiful countryside, and it's becoming more and more regular to see disposable vape pens littered there.

 

Shropshire Council, therefore, calls on the Government to legislate for a ban on the sale of disposable vapes. This will help to prevent a new public health catastrophe among children and tackle the vast and growing environmental impact of the devices, especially the single-use plastic and use of lithium batteries that are hard to recycle and pose a fire risk.

 

By way of amendment Councillor Kate Halliday proposed the following: -

 

Shropshire Council believes that the use of disposable vapes by young people is concerning. The marketing of colourful, candy-flavoured vapes that are relatively cheap and easy to access, could create a new generation addicted to nicotine There has been no specific research undertaken into the health impacts of vaping on young people’s development, including their respiratory health. There is also a growing environmental impact of these devices, especially the single-use plastic and use of lithium batteries and copper that are hard to recycle and pose a fire risk. 

 

While it is the case that the long- term health outcomes for adults have also not been researched, the UK Government states ‘Vaping is an important tool to help the government achieve its ambition for England to be smokefree by 2030. This is because vaping is one of the most effective ways to help people quit smoking. A recent?Cochrane systematic review?found with ‘high certainty’ that vapes were more effective than nicotine replacement therapy. Ensuring vaping devices can continue to be made available to current smokers is vital to reducing smoking rates, and their use contributes to an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 additional fewer smokers per year.

 

One survey suggests that over half of all vapes used in the UK are disposable, with the majority being used by adults who are reducing/ceasing tobacco use 2. 

 

While it may play a part, there is no guarantee that banning disposable vapes will solve the problem of young people vaping. As a measure alone, it could drive some young people to non-compliant devices which may comprise of more concerning and damaging substances. On June 15th ’23 Shropshire’s Task and Finish group on underage vaping report that:

 

‘Vapes can be purchased online often with relative ease and are more challenging to regulate. There has been a large rise in sales of non-compliant vapes (with risks around product safety requirements such as chargers and batteries). This is compounded by worrying implications that the supply of vapes may be linked to child exploitation and serious organised crime.’

 

There are a range of possible responses to tackling youth vaping including: 

 

·         It is illegal to sell vapes to under 18s, and this legislation could be better enforced. 

 

·         There have not been the same restrictions imposed on the marketing of vapes as there are on tobacco products. Marketing could be more strictly regulated.

 

·         Trading standards also have a role to play and Shropshire Council has been recognised by the Local Government Association for its pro-active actions regarding identifying the illegal selling of vapes with 1244 illegal vape products seized following test purchase operations and including 3 sales of vapes to children. More can be done to reduce illegal sales 

 

·         A tax could be imposed on vaping products 

 

In addition with regard to climate concerns, retailers selling vapes must by law provide an option for consumers to dispose of vapes on a one-for-one basis under the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations. The Office for Product Safety and Standards is responsible for compliance

 

In light of the above Shropshire Council calls on the Government to:

 

·         Legislate to end the use of single use disposable vapes whilst ensuring that adults who are vaping as an alternative to tobacco use do not experience disrupted supply.

 

·         Support the Local Government Association’s call for action to central government for vapes to be in plain packaging, be kept out-of-sight, for mandatory age-of-sale signage on vaping products and a ban on free samples as tools that can help achieve this (this is a recommendation of the Shropshire Task and Finish Group)

 

·         Support local authorities to improve prosecution rates for the sale of illegal vapes

 

·         Support local authorities to boost smoking cessation services, including those for children who are vaping, and develop health promotion campaigns

 

·         To reduce online sales of no-compliant vapes

 

·         Enhance the ability of the Office for Product Safety and Standards to enforce retail compliance with the disposal of vapes

 

Shropshire Council will also continue to support the work of:

 

·         the task and finish group including their work on an approach for communications aimed at children and young people.

 

·         Link Youth vaping to the Shropshire Plan

 

The amendment was seconded by Councillor

 

Councillor Thomas indicated that he would accept the amendment.

 

On taking a vote the amendment was supported and it was RESOLVED:

 

Shropshire Council believes that the use of disposable vapes by young people is concerning. The marketing of colourful, candy-flavoured vapes that are relatively cheap and easy to access, could create a new generation addicted to nicotine There has been no specific research undertaken into the health impacts of vaping on young people’s development, including their respiratory health. There is also a growing environmental impact of these devices, especially the single-use plastic and use of lithium batteries and copper that are hard to recycle and pose a fire risk. 

 

While it is the case that the long- term health outcomes for adults have also not been researched, the UK Government states ‘Vaping is an important tool to help the government achieve its ambition for England to be smokefree by 2030. This is because vaping is one of the most effective ways to help people quit smoking. A recent?Cochrane systematic review?found with ‘high certainty’ that vapes were more effective than nicotine replacement therapy. Ensuring vaping devices can continue to be made available to current smokers is vital to reducing smoking rates, and their use contributes to an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 additional fewer smokers per year.

 

One survey suggests that over half of all vapes used in the UK are disposable, with the majority being used by adults who are reducing/ceasing tobacco use 2. 

 

While it may play a part, there is no guarantee that banning disposable vapes will solve the problem of young people vaping. As a measure alone, it could drive some young people to non-compliant devices which may comprise of more concerning and damaging substances. On June 15th ’23 Shropshire’s Task and Finish group on underage vaping report that:

 

‘Vapes can be purchased online often with relative ease and are more challenging to regulate. There has been a large rise in sales of non-compliant vapes (with risks around product safety requirements such as chargers and batteries). This is compounded by worrying implications that the supply of vapes may be linked to child exploitation and serious organised crime.’

 

There are a range of possible responses to tackling youth vaping including: 

 

·         It is illegal to sell vapes to under 18s, and this legislation could be better enforced. 

 

·         There have not been the same restrictions imposed on the marketing of vapes as there are on tobacco products. Marketing could be more strictly regulated.

 

·         Trading standards also have a role to play and Shropshire Council has been recognised by the Local Government Association for its pro-active actions regarding identifying the illegal selling of vapes with 1244 illegal vape products seized following test purchase operations and including 3 sales of vapes to children. More can be done to reduce illegal sales 

 

·         A tax could be imposed on vaping products 

 

In addition with regard to climate concerns, retailers selling vapes must by law provide an option for consumers to dispose of vapes on a one-for-one basis under the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations. The Office for Product Safety and Standards is responsible for compliance

 

In light of the above Shropshire Council calls on the Government to:

 

·         Legislate to end the use of single use disposable vapes whilst ensuring that adults who are vaping as an alternative to tobacco use do not experience disrupted supply.

 

·         Support the Local Government Association’s call for action to central government for vapes to be in plain packaging, be kept out-of-sight, for mandatory age-of-sale signage on vaping products and a ban on free samples as tools that can help achieve this (this is a recommendation of the Shropshire Task and Finish Group)

 

·         Support local authorities to improve prosecution rates for the sale of illegal vapes

 

·         Support local authorities to boost smoking cessation services, including those for children who are vaping, and develop health promotion campaigns

 

·         To reduce online sales of no-compliant vapes

 

·         Enhance the ability of the Office for Product Safety and Standards to enforce retail compliance with the disposal of vapes

 

Shropshire Council will also continue to support the work of:

 

·         the task and finish group including their work on an approach for communications aimed at children and young people.

 

·         Link Youth vaping to the Shropshire Plan

 

b)    Motion submitted by Cllr. Julia Evans and supported by the Green Group

 

Motion to stop the use of Glyphosates and oppose the use of Neonicotinoids in Shropshire by both Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council when contracted to do works for the former.?? ?

 

This Council notes:? ??

 

In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer an agency for the World Health Organisation, published it’s findings into the relationship between cancer and glyphosate – a herbicide – and classified it as possibly carcinogenic – it had scientific data that it definitely caused malignant tumours in animals. Glyphosate causes damage in human DNA and chromosomes and is associated with the blood cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This is all before the damage it will inflict on our insect and mammal species. (1)?

 

There has been a 60% increase in the use of pesticides such as glyphosate in the UK since 1990?[3]. Italy, Portugal and the Canadian city of Vancouver have all banned use of glyphosate [or glyphosate based weed killers] and France is working towards this.?Mosanto?and German owner Bayer face 9,000 lawsuits in the US from those that believe their illnesses are caused by this product, a $6.9 million settlement in June this year as Monsanto falsely continues to state that it’s product is safe?[2 and 4]. That recent studies published in?ScienceDirect?show a 41% increased risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma caused by exposure from glyphosate-based weed killers and products?[5]. In Shropshire Unitary Council – there is no Policy on Glyphosate use or guidance on how to use.? ??

 

This Council believes:? ??

 

·         There is compelling evidence that glyphosate and a wide range of other herbicides and pesticides may be harmful to human health?

·         The use of pesticides and weed killers reduces biodiversity, impacting negatively on insects, birds and bees, in a time when the world is losing 2.5% of its insect population per-year?[6].?

·         Harmful weed killer residues can creep into the food chain.?

·         Pets and children should not be playing in parks treated with such chemicals.? ??

 

This Council resolves to:? ??

 

·         Phase out the use of all pesticides and weed killers on council land, upholding the ban on neonictinoids.?

·         Cut out all use of glyphosate based treatments in all council operations in from December 2023.?

·         Trial pesticide-free alternatives during this period, to use biodegradable foam or hot steam treatments on weeds. To be decided by Executive.?

·         Grant an exception to the above ban regarding the control of Japanese knotweed, or other invasive species, where there are currently no effective mechanical techniques available. However, in this case chemicals such as glyphosate will only be stem-injected, rather than sprayed, to reduce its spread in the environment.?

·         Grant an exception on sprays only in relation to Giant Hogweed where it’s not safe to be dug out or safely removed by other means.?

·         Formulate a Policy for pesticides inclusive of above and include Staff protective equipment when handling and using pesticides.?

·         Write to the prime minister to inform the government of this Council’s opposition to glyphosate-based pesticides and to call for a UK-wide programme to phase out use?

 

1. https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MonographVolume112-1.pdf

2.https://www.syracuse.com/state/2023/06/bayer-to-pay-69-million-in-ny-settlement-over-false-claims-about-weedkiller-roundup.html

3. http://www.pan-uk.org/pesticides-agriculture-uk/?  

4.https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/07/monsanto-trial-cancer-appeal-glyphosate-chemical ??

5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383574218300887 ??

6.https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/10/plummeting-insect-numbers-threaten-

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Duncan Kerr

 

On taking a vote the motion was not supported.