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Nearly 1,400 illegal vapes seized in Staffordshire raids
Almost 1,400 illegal vapes have been seized during raids in Staffordshire.
Trading standards targeted four shops in and around Newcastle-under-Lyme on Monday, after receiving intelligence about oversized illegal e-cigarettes and also selling to under-18s.
Over 8,000 illegal products have been seized in the county so far this year, compared to about 9,500 last year.
The government is currently considering a ban on disposable vapes, as more young people take up the habit.
A total of 1,397 illegal vapes were seized, all single use, with a retail value of more than £18,000.
Laura Burgess, from trading standards in the county, said: "The legal limit is 2ml, which equates to around 600 puffs.
"With... [one] particular product we can see it's got a capacity of 14ml and it's also being displayed as 7,000 puffs."
Source: BBC News, 18 September 2023
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'Hospital staff saved my life' says lung transplant recipient who started smoking aged nine
Daniel Doherty, from Shelfield, is sharing his story during Organ Donation Week, after the father-of-five underwent a 13-hour double lung transplant on May 30 at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The 38-year-old, who was once a promising Aston Villa footballer, was referred by Walsall Healthcare after working hard to stop smoking and turn his life around.
Since the transplant the former warehouse labourer has been able to walk freely again after having to use a wheelchair for several years due to breathing difficulties.
A 20-a-day smoker from the age of nine to 33, Daniel had a history of breathing problems, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and type 2 respiratory failure, which left him unable to walk.
And although he had cut down to “a couple of drags a day” by the time he gave up nearly five years ago, the damage had been done.
Daniel has been told his new lungs came from a male non-smoker in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and, coupled with being five years smoke free, he is feeling the benefits.
Having spent many months at Walsall Manor Hospital over the last five years, Daniel says he also owes his life to staff, particularly Dr Kutaeba Ibrahim, respiratory and general physician, respiratory lead.
Dr Ibrahim said: “I had my first meeting with Daniel on 23 May, 2019, when he was intubated with COPD.
“Over the course of multiple admissions, we established him on oxygen and non-invasive ventilation. He worked very hard to stop smoking and was very engaged with the team.
“In July 2021 I spoke to him about the possibility of a lung transplant and we worked very hard with him to the point where in September 2022 I referred him for a double transplant.
“Nine months later he had the transplant and has made a full recovery. We’re delighted to see how Daniel has turned his life around, and to see he’s enjoying such a better quality of life.
Source: Express & Star, 19 September 2023
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New smoking laws for South Africa
The Portfolio Committee on Health has conducted more public hearings on the new Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill, with participants expressing mixed views.
The new Bill has been met with both support and vehement opposition, depending on the clauses being focused on.
Broadly, the bill aims to introduce the following:
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Indoor public places and certain outdoor areas will be determined to be 100% smoke-free.
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Ban the sale of cigarettes through vending machines.
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Plain packaging with graphic health warnings and pictorials.
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Ban on display at point-of-sale; and
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The regulation and control of electronic nicotine delivery systems and non-nicotine delivery systems.
Members of the public expressed concerns over the state’s inability to enforce the existing legislation on tobacco products due to insufficient capacity.
There has been widespread concern that school-going children were missing valuable teaching and learning time as they would leave class to smoke, with strong beliefs that the new Bill will help parents stop their children from smoking.
Source: BusinessTech, 18 September 2023
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