Martin Goss is the prospective Liberal Democrat Candidate for Colchester 

Colchester Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Martin Goss was thrilled today to have received full cross-party support for his Motion to full Council.  

The Council Motion put forward by Martin Goss called on the Council to contact the MP’s representing the city (Bernard Jenkin, Priti Patel and Will Quince) to request their government to bring forward legislation to end the sale of non-recyclable Vapes. Martin’s Motion is reproduced below: 

MOTION TEXT 

Council notes 

(a) the serious harm and risk that non-disposable single use vapes are causing to our environment, our wildlife, our children and all users;  
 
(b) the risk to our refuse collectors due to refuse lorries catching fire as a result of the battery elements within vapes; 
 
(c) that as shown by figures provided by Greenpeace two disposable single use vapes are thrown away every second in the UK – 1.3 million a week presenting a considerable risk and harm to all of us; 
 
Council also raises concern at the harm to young people due to the promotion of vapes which can be displayed near sweets and confectionary and notes incidents of young people being rushed to hospital due to indoctrinated vapes;
 
Council believes that the local environment and our young people deserve the highest possible protection;

Council requests that representation is made to Government through the local MPs for Colchester by Council writing to them requesting them to bring in urgent legislation without delay, to join over 40 other countries that have already banned vapes in some way to: 
 
1. Ban the sale of non-disposable single use vapes; 
2. Ban open display of vapes and to treat sales in the same manner as cigarettes; and 
3. Bring in a programme of awareness amongst schoolchildren. 

As the motion relates to a non-executive matter it will be debated and determined at the meeting

Martin Goss said: 

“I have been extremely concerned for some while by the increase in use and the manner in which these vapes are promoted, particularly concerning young people, particularly while any potential long term health risk is unknown. 

“The chemicals within vapes are dangerous when these are not properly disposed of particularly to our environment and wildlife as well as incidents of bin lorries and recycling facilities catching fire.” 

BACKGROUND 

Martin is not alone in calling for urgent legislation to tackle the out-of-control vaping industry. According to the organisation behind the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, Material Focus, last year around 1.3m single-use vapes were thrown away each week in this country.  

 According to a Sky Investigation^[i] primary schoolchildren are becoming ill due to smoking vapes with 15 children admitted to hospital last year up to April this year. This is alarming due to the toxicity and addictive nature of chemicals within vapes. 

Martin added: 

“I hope my Motion with the backing of all the political parties in Colchester, will help put pressure on this government to take urgent action and prevent further risk to health and to our environment.”   

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