A loophole that allows rogue firms to give free vapes to children is set to be closed under new Government plans.
As part of a wider and ongoing clamp-down on youth vaping and smoking habits, especially after recent NHS figures for 2021 showed that 9% of 11 to 15 year old children use e-cigarettes in the UK – which is up from 6% in 2018 – Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is today set to reveal how the Government plans to a loophole that allows retailers to provide children with free vape samples.
The rules around sale of “nicotine-free vapes” to under-18s are also to be reviewed, as well as increased education on the topic, and the introduction of dedicated police liaison officers to keep illegal vapes out of schools.
Although selling vapes to under those under 18 is illegal in the UK, the Government says it’s “clear” from the recent rise in teenage usage of vapes, and the recent surge in the use and promotion of “cheap, colourful products”, that businesses are targeting children.
Because of this targeted marketing, the Government says it also intends to launch a full review into the rules on issuing fines to shops illegally selling vapes to under-18s to allow local Trading Standards to issue on the spot fines and fixed penalty notices “more easily” – which Ministers say will aim to “complement” existing fine and penalty procedures.
Government to crackdown on rogue firms using loophole to give ‘free vapes’ to kids / Credit: Flickr
It will also aim to cover both illegal and underage sales for vapes and tobacco “where possible”, and when gaps are identified, the Government has pledged to “take action to close them”.
“I am deeply concerned about the sharp rise in kids vaping and shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of school children,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement announcing the new measures.
“Our new illicit vape enforcement squad is on the case, but clearly there is more to do.
“That is why I am taking further action today to clamp down on rogue firms who unlawfully target our children with these products. The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good.”
Health Minister Neil O’Brien has slammed the “shameful marketing” of vaping products to children, and says it is directly leading to growing numbers trying e-cigarettes.
The Government has also noted that while the rise in illegal youth vaping is “a cause for concern” among many health professionals and industry bodies, it has acknowledged that many addicted smokers have found using vapes as a successful “quitting tool”.
Health ministers have slammed the “shameful marketing” of e-cigarettes to under 18s / Credit: Elf Bar
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, has called the measures to address retailers providing free vape samples to children a “very welcome step” in tackling “some of the harms” caused by the e-cigarette industry – but admitted that this shouldn’t get in the way of previously-announced plans to get smokers to switch to vapes.
“We should continue to encourage smokers to swap to vaping as the lesser risk, whilst preventing the marketing and sale of vapes to children,” he added.
The crack-down on youth vaping does come after the Government launched a world-first national scheme offering one in five of all smokers in England a ‘vape starter kit’ alongside behavioural support, back in April, all with the aim of helping them to quit the habit.
It was just one part of a series of new measures announced to help the Government meet its ambition of being ‘smokefree’ by 2030, and reduce smoking rates from 13% to 5% or less.
Manchester restaurant to give out FREE katsu curries to people called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’
Emily Sergeant
In what is a small stroke of genius, a restaurant chain has decided to give out free katsu curries to anyone called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’.
Throughout September, award-winning restaurant chain Banana Tree – which has a Greater Manchester site down at Salford Quays – is shining the spotlight on its popular katsu creations, and as a clever way of celebrating National Katsu Day on 27 September has announced a pretty unique giveaway.
That’s right – the restaurant will be serving up katsu dishes to people called Kat, Sue, and every delicious variation of the names in between.
Anyone named Kat, Katie, Katherine, Sue, Suzy, Susan, Suzanne – or close enough to qualify, the list goes on – can head to their local Banana Tree restaurant, and all they’ll need to do is show proof of name and they can enjoy a free katsu dish of their choice, worth up to £16.75.
The chain’s kastu lineup includes three star dishes.
First there’s the much-loved Katsu Curry, as well as the all-new Katsu Burger, which is made from either a crispy chicken or veggie fillet, spicy mayo, puffed noodle crunch, and a drizzle of Katsu sauce tucked into a soft Shokupan bun with a side of salt n pepper chilli chips.
Then there’s also the intriguing newcomer, the Katsu Carbonara – which is described as being a daring East-meets-West mash-up and ‘unapologetically’ Banana Tree.
Banana Tree is giving away free katsu curries to people called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’ / Credit: Banana Tree
With each of these dishes usually priced around the £16 mark, the giveaway isn’t just a way of marking National Katsu Day, but it’s also a way to sample the some of the restaurant’s biggest crowd-pleasers entirely free of charge.
To avoid any confusion on who makes the cut, Banana Tree will reveal the full qualifying list of name variations on Instagram soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
“Our Katsu range is one of our proudest creations, so National Katsu Day felt like the perfect moment to have some fun with our fans,” a Banana Tree spokesperson said ahead of the giveaway.
The free katsu offer is available for four days only from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 September, and you just need to head to the Banana Tree website to sign up to the Big Flavour Club here.
Featured Image – Banana Tree
News
Tatton Park makes decision to temporarily close gate after visitor is attacked by rutting deer
Emily Sergeant
Tatton Park has made the decision to temporarily close one of its gates after a member of the public following a ‘recent change in deer activity’.
It comes after ‘a couple of injuries’ despite warnings and a large amount of signage across the park.
The decision to close the Knutsford gate had to be taken by Tatton management with input from Cheshire East Council’s health and safety manager, and its director of growth and enterprise, along with ‘expert advice’ from the leading deer vet who works across many deer parks in the UK.
The Knutsford gate will be closed to pedestrians and vehicles ‘until further notice’, but the Dog Wood entrance and the main Rostherne entrance will remain open.
Tatton Park cited a current ‘larger number’ of stags than usual found feeding on fallen acorns near the Knutsford entrance, and an overall ‘recent shift in our deer herd’s behaviour during the rutting season’ as the reason for the gate’s closure in a statement shared to social media this week.
Rutting season – which refers to the autumn deer breeding season, typically from late September to early November in the UK – is when deer herds may exhibit aggression if approached.
“If you come across wild deer whilst visiting, we strongly advise you take an alternative route,” the park said in its statement.
The park’s Operations Team added in a statement, as reported by the MEN: “Despite all warnings, a large amount of signage, staff being on hand to advise people to avoid the deer, and all efforts to try to re-route people and get them to stop approaching the deer, we have unfortunately had a couple of injuries.”
One of the ‘injuries’ referred to was an incident involving 67-year-old man named Rod Savage, who was reportedly hurled up in the air after a large stag suddenly appeared and charged at him with his antlers, puncturing his stomach.
Tatton Park temporarily closes its gate after a visitor is attacked by rutting deer / Credit: Diana Parkhouse (via Unsplash)
The terrifying ordeal happened just 300 yards inside the Knutsford entrance, contributing to the gate’s temporary closure.
Tatton Park has now issued warnings and advice to all future visitors.
People are being told to ‘never walk between the deer’ and ‘never put yourself between deer and a fence’, while always maintaining a safe distance of 50m or more when possible, and ultimately remaining vigilant and fully-aware of your surroundings at all times.
Emily Sergeant -
30th May 2023 
