Councils call for ban of disposable vapes

SINGLE use vapes, such as Elf bars and Lost Mary should be banned on environmental and health grounds, Councils say for the 1st time. The Local Government Association, which represents Councils within England and Wales, is calling for the Government to ban the sale and manufacture of single use vapes by 2024. The LGA said it is crucial that that ban comes into effect rapidly, as with the EU proposing a ban in 2026 and France rolling out a ban in Dec 2023, there is a risk that as markets close disposable vapes will flood into the UK. Disposable vapes are a hazard for waste and litter collection and cause fires in bin lorries.

Single use vapes are designed as one unit so batteries cannot be separated from the plastic, making them almost impossible to recycle without going through special treatment The lithium batteries inside the plastic can sharply increase in temperature if crushed and can become flammable. This comes at a cost to the Council taxpayer through fire damage to equipment and the specialist treatment needed to deal with hazardous waste. With 1.3 million disposable vapes thrown away every week, they have also become a regular and obvious item of litter on our streets.

Councils are also concerned about the impact vaping is having upon children and young people. It is worrying that more and more children; who have never smoked; are starting vaping.

Councils are especially concerned by the marketing of vapes with designs and flavours that could appeal to children, in particular those with fruity and bubble gum flavours, and colourful child-friendly packaging. Strict new measures to regulate the display and marketing of regular vaping products in the same way as tobacco are needed.

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board said:- "Councils are not anti vapes, which are shown to be less harmful than smoking and have a place as a tool to use in smoking cessation. However, disposable vapes are fundamentally flawed in their design and inherently unsustainable products, meaning an outright ban will prove more effective than attempts to recycle more vapes. Single use vapes blight our streets as litter, are a hazard in our bin lorries, are expensive and difficult to deal with in our recycling centres. Their colours, flavours and advertising are appealing to children and the penalties for retailers selling them don't go far enough. Councils urge the Government to take this action to protect our planet, keep children safe and save taxpayers money."

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook or Twitter.

Liverpool collaborates with Global Music and Mental Health Project

'THE Road to Memphis' hailed as being the world's largest music-based mental health projects; launched on:- 2 June 2023, offering musicians across the globe the opportunity to showcase their musical abilities, whilst also promoting mental health and providing resources and assistance to the creative industries.

The Unity of Faiths Foundation (TUFF) Headquartered in Liverpool; conceived of the groundbreaking idea of a global, inclusive song contest, that also serves as a vehicle to showcasing global music cities. In collaboration with the City of Memphis, Memphis Tourism, The Stax Museum of American Soul, Arts Memphis, The Cavern Club, American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, Liverpool City Council, British Consulate-General Atlanta and UK Parliament.

'The Road to Memphis' song competition aims to discover original talent by shining a worldwide spotlight on the mental health needs of the music and creative community and beyond. The project launched to tens of thousands of viewers, with speakers including Liverpool Major Steve Rotheram and Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, plus more.

The launch of the competition was live streamed direct from Memphis's Stax Museum's historic Studio A, to Liverpool, and to the British Parliament where Lord Syed Kamall addressed the global audience about the importance of this partnership and how music could be a healer to mental health issues. It was the 1st time a US City has been in direct contact with Parliament for a project of this matter.

Kevin Kane, Memphis Tourism President and CEO, said:- "Memphis is a music destination, for music fans, artists, musicians; and they are the lifeblood of our community and tourism industry. Music is our City's global identity. When you think about the role that Memphis played in American culture, we exported our music all over the world."

Music has long been considered a powerful tool of expression, communication, and emotional release. In light of the growing understanding of the link between psychological health and music, the competition provides a platform for performers to showcase their talent, whilst simultaneously highlighting the importance of mental health. Finalists in the competition will be given the opportunity to perform in Memphis, Tennessee later this year (2023).

Dr. Shamender Talwar and Anna Prior, Co-Founders of TUFF, said:- "Music has the power to take away the stigma of mental health. This project saves lives, and we will continue to do so, and try to make sure no one slips through the net."
Meanwhile, Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: "It's a brilliant competition and locally we have seen an epidemic of ill mental health. We must make sure people's well-being is catered for. We are going to try to raise as much money as we possibly can for this worthy cause."

The Road To Memphis is the third international song contest and mental health project, following the overwhelming success of the inaugural Liverpool International Song Contest and The Road To Nashville that followed. Music artists can submit a song via The Road To Memphis website and all songs must have both original music and lyrics written by the artist themselves.

The Road To Memphis Song Contest and Mental Health Project. To submit a song and for more info visit:- RoadToMemphis.US.

News reports located on this page = 2.

Councils call for ban of disposable vapes

Liverpool collaborates with Global Music and Mental Health Project