Lancashire vape warning after child falls unconscious

A warning has been issued to parents in Lancashire about the dangers of unregulated vapes after two children fell ill - with one losing consciousness.

Police said the high school pupils in Chorley and West Lancashire had become unwell after using vapes believed to be contaminated.

They experienced dizziness and heart palpitations before one passed out.

Lancashire Police urged parents to "be vigilant".

The legal age to use vapes is 18 but police said in some cases "irresponsible retailers have failed to uphold this rule".

Inspector Jon Cisco said: "Not only is this illegal but it also presents a real health issue to young people who could become very unwell by these unregulated products."

Both children received medical attention.

Neither were suffering any long-term health effects as a result, and the incidents were being treated as "isolated", police said.

In January, five teenagers at schools and colleges in Lancaster and Morecambe needed hospital treatment after using vapes believed to be contaminated with dangerous Class B drugs.

Police said the vapes could have contained amphetamine and a cannabis extract.

Insp Cisco said it was a "real concern" that the unregulated vapes were available and police were working with Trading Standards and schools to educate pupils of the dangers.

He added: "We are working closely with our partners and local schools to share intelligence.

"I would urge anyone with information about those supplying these vapes and vape products, like liquids, to tell us about it so that we can work to get them off the streets and out of the hands of our young people."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X, and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]