Almost 100,000 children in the North East have tried vaping, a new survey reveals.

The latest research carried out by Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use shows that 24% of children across the UK have used a vape.

Labour is proposing banning the marketing of vapes to children in an effort to stop the next generation from becoming hooked on nicotine.

Darlington Council has been conducting a crackdown on illegal selling of vapes as one of its top priorities in 2023.

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Andrew Gwynne, the Shadow Public Health Minister, said: "We cannot allow a new generation of kids to get hooked on nicotine. 

"Vapes are a stop smoking tool for adults, they aren't for kids. It's shameful that the Government is allowing vaping companies to profit by targeting children with their addictive substances. 

"The next Labour Government will ban the packaging and marketing of vapes to children and give every child a healthy start to life."

The data reveals that 11% of secondary school children would describe themselves as a 'current e-cigarette user'.

Vapes are often packaged in brightly coloured boxes alongside cartoon characters. Some e-liquids are even packaged to imitate sweet brands popular with children.

Inspections of 40 premises in County Durham, has led to the seizure or voluntary surrender of over 3,700 devices, with one product found to contain 4 x 2ml cartridges as a means of seeking to circumvent the regulations.

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40 children were hospitalised in England last year due to vaping. Physicians have warned vaping can cause lung bleeding and lung collapse in children.

On Wednesday, Labour will table a motion in the House of Commons calling for a ban on the marketing of vapes to children.

In 2021, Conservative MPs voted down an amendment to the Health and Care Bill which would have granted the Department for Health and Social Care powers to tackle underage vaping.