Two women are facing charges after a video of a small child vaping went viral.
The video was recorded in the Ayrshire area of Scotland, and showed a young child, estimated to be between one and two years old, inhaling from a pink vape while adults looked on.
Another video showed the young child coughing after using the vape.
The police Scotland mentioned that the child is ‘safe and well’ and two women were charged on Saturday.
A force spokesperson mentioned: ‘Two women, both aged 19 years, are the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal. The child is safe and well.’
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) Scotland, mentioned: ‘Most e-cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine as well as toxic chemicals that have not been safety tested for inhalation.
‘E-cigarettes present particular risks for children and all vaping products should be kept out of their reach.
‘Nicotine is addictive and adversely affects brain development. It can lead to attention disorders and can harm mood and wellbeing.
‘As children’s bodies are growing, damage done by these devices now increases the risk of serious longer-term health outcomes.’
Meanwhile, Ayrshire MSP Siobhan Brown, who is also the Scottish community safety minister, said: ‘I was horrified to watch the footage of a toddler vaping on social media.
‘Vapes are not harmless and contain nicotine and dangerous toxins that could damage young developing lungs.
‘I would hope this is an isolated incident and most responsible parents would know the dangers involved.
‘I have had concerns for several years with the increase of youth vaping, especially with the attractive different flavours and the accessibility of disposable vapes.
‘The Scottish government is bringing in welcome legislation to ban disposable vapes next year.’
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