A store that sells vape products shouldn’t be right next to an elementary school, as it normalizes the habit of young children, says WA’s chief P&C body.
Parents and residents near Carlisle Primary School have battled for the past year to get their concerns heard about the Westside Vaperz shop, directly opposite the school’s front door.
The chairman of the WA Council of State School Organizations, Pania Turner, said vaping and how it was marketed to young people was a growing concern among parents of school-age children, so much so that it topped the list for discussion during the next Council meeting.
Ms. Turner, who has previously raised concerns about fast food restaurants near schools normalizing higher consumption of junk food, said the same was true for vaping.
“We would be concerned about vape shops near schools,” she said.
Camera IconWestside Vaperz vape shop is direct across the street from gate 1 entrance to Carlisle Primary School. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian
The McGowan government has cemented compliance checks on retailers who cannot sell e-cigarette devices.
Education and Health Ministers Sue Ellery and Amber-Jade Sanderson unveiled an education campaign and anti-vaping toolkit to counter the alarming rise in school students’ use of e-cigarettes.
Lisa Hollands, president of Belmont Resident and Ratepayer Action Group, said many residents believed it was an “inappropriate” site for a vape shop.
Westside Vaperz owner Sam Maharaj said he has had “endless problems” with Carlisle PS parents since opening his shop 12 months ago, but he believed this was mainly because it meant they could no longer use his parking space.
He was adamant that his company was not breaking any laws.
Camera IconWestside Vaperz vape shop is direct across the street from gate 1 entrance to Carlisle Primary School. Credit: Andrew Ritchie/The West Australian
“Our store is strictly 18 and older,” he said.
“I’ve never sold a drop of nicotine in the six years I’ve been in the industry.”
Mr. Maharaj said a handful of less reputable shops selling vapes to teens “brought our industry to its knees”.
A spokesman for the state government said that under the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006, products resembling tobacco products, including e-cigarette devices and their components, whether they contain nicotine or not, may not be sold or promoted by tobacco or general tobacco companies. Retailers.
Mr. Maharaj said a bottle shop was also a few yards away from Carlisle Primary.
“But nobody seems to have a problem with that; everyone seems to continue to have a problem with the vape store,” he said.
“I have another shop in Gosnells, across the road from a primary school – Seaforth Primary – it’s been there for four years, and I’ve never heard of anyone.”
Maurice Swanson, chief executive of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, welcomed the anti-vaping education campaign but said it needed to be backed up by strong enforcement at all levels of government to stop the supply of illegal products to children and young people.