WHILE the fruity smell that lingers from a vape cloud might be appealing to some, residents living in the UK's “vape capital” are deeply worried about youngsters destroying their lungs.
Children as young as 12 are being drawn into vape shops, locals say, with bright packaging and flavours including bubblegum, candy floss and cola.
Former cotton mill town Accrington in has been dubbed the UK's “vape capital” thanks to its high number of vape shops per capita in the UK.
Online store Haypp unearthed data from Companies House to tally the number of registered vape stores in major UK towns and cities.
Statistics released by the experts show Accrington has one vape shop per 2,500 people, or 40 per 100,000 residents.
The “vape-obsessed” town, with a population of nearly 35,000, has 14 businesses in total.
The nicotine-filledsimulatorswere introduced to help smokers cut down or quit completely, but have become incredibly popular among teenagers and young adults.
When used correctly, they are beneficial to help people smoke less and beat the addiction, but experts have warned that a combination of the two can be harmful.
Vapes are not completely risk-free, but they carry a small fraction of the risk of .
‘They draw kids in'
Barber Nicola Roberts, 35, and her 12-year-old daughter Charlie both vape.
She told The Sun: “My daughter vapes – very naughty. There are a lot of vape shops and they sell vapes inside newsagents as well, and even in normal shops.
“There is money to be made selling vapes here in Accrington. There are new shops springing up all the time.
“They draw the kids in with the colours and the lights and the smells.”
Retired musician Gary Brown, 67, says: “I occasionally vape myself.
“I'm not sure if they are all that good for me, you are still putting stuff in your lungs. Nobody knows what they are doing to our bodies.
“With , the figures are there but we will probably have to wait another ten to 15 years to know the effects of .
“I also smoke cigarettes, and I'm trying to cut those out as well. Vapes are certainly better tasting.”
Smoking is linked to and in various parts of the body, while vaping might contribute to and .
Despite the risks, using vapes to quit smoking is still a better option than not trying at all, experts say.
But doctors have warned that smoking and vaping combined is extremely harmful and “doubles the load on your body”.
“Combining the two only multiplies the harm,” Dr Naheed Ali, a physician and senior contributor at Vera Clinic, from Florida, US, told Sun Health.
“Smoking introduces toxins like tar and carbon monoxide that directly damage your lungs and cardiovascular system,” he said.
“Vaping, on the other hand, adds chemicals from e-liquids that can irritate and harm lung tissue. “
“Doing both doesn't just double the load on your body – it makes things worse because your system has to handle two different sets of toxins at the same time.”
‘It's supply and demand'
Other residents claim vapes are healthier than cigarettes and welcome the new businesses in the town.
Sarah Brindle, 40, is a manager at the British Heart Foundation shop in Accrington town centre.
She says: “I think there is a decent number of vape shops around here. I wouldn't say there were too many.
“I used to smoke but now I vape. I much prefer vaping to smoking.”
Retired housekeeper Jayne Clegg, 56, said: “I think vaping is the way forward.
“It is better than cigarettes – although it has yet to be proved.
“There are more and more vape shops popping up here, but it is obviously what people want – supply and demand.
“I go to a vape shop further up town and I find that they are very helpful in there. But they are all fine.”
The long-term effects of vaping are still unclear, but many horror stories have recently come to light.
previously told The Sun she thought making the switch from smoking cigarettes to puffing on flavoured air 11 years ago was the “healthier option”.
But the 39-year-old was then given a severe pneumonia diagnosis and assigned a bed in intensive care because of her.
Fearing she would die, Nicola, from Chester-le-Street,, said: “It was terrifying.“
Local builder Stuart Green, 34, said: “I do like a good vape. Miles more tasty and healthier than cigs.
“I don't have a problem with the vape shops in town. It's better than having the shops standing empty.”
Mum-of-six Louise Segal, 30, started vaping two-and-a-half years ago after quitting smoking.
Louise said: “I used to smoke loads of cigarettes, but thought I'd better give up for my .
“And also I'm saving money now. I buy my vapes in bulk online. I don't go to the vape shops in town. My daughter is 14 and she vapes.
“I try to stick to my favourite flavours. I like blueberry/raspberry, but I'm on watermelon and ice at the moment.
“I'm shocked to learn we have the most vape shops in Accrington, compared to anywhere else around.”
Student Rhianna Courtney, 17, spends around £60-£80 per month on vapes.
“I've been vaping for a few years now. I've never smoked cigarettes,” said Rhianna.
“I like the smell and feeling. My favourite flavour is juicy peach. It's handy to have so many vapes shops in the town to choose from.”
The Sun has contacted Hyndburn Borough Council for comment.
It remains to be seen what harm vaping could cause in the future but it seems the delicious-smelling vape clouds wafting down the street will continue for now.
