Health and wellbeing
Sculpture made from seized vapes on display in Walsall Council House
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An art sculpture spotlighting the potential harms of vaping, especially illicit products, is on display at Walsall Council House this summer.
The sculpture, which is a large-scale model of a pair of lungs with a heart, was originally unveiled at Walsall College in June 2024. It was part of a collaborative project between the college and Walsall Council’s Trading Standards and Public Health teams to raise awareness of the harms associated with vaping for those (especially young people) not using them to quit tobacco. The artwork also highlights significant issues associated with illicit vaping products.
The sculpture consists of empty boxes of approximately 4,000 illicit vapes seized by Trading Standards, which were provided to the college to create the artwork last year.
Over the last six months, the sculpture has been on display in secondary schools across the borough to support ongoing health and wellbeing education, with teachers using it as an educational tool to highlight the risks of peer pressure and addiction and the importance of young people making informed choices. The Council House will now host the sculpture for the summer holidays until September 2025.
“ We’re delighted to host this powerful sculpture at the Walsall Council House. It serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by illicit vapes, which often contain unknown substances and exceed legal puff limits, making them harmful to people of all ages, including adults.
Regulated vaping products are one of a number of effective tools for quitting smoking. They are less harmful than tobacco but not risk free. Our local services offer residents access to expert support and nicotine replacement therapy. This includes providing regulated vapes as an additional aid to become completely smoke free and eventually vape free.
The project is a great example of how art, education and public health can come together to protect our communities. “
“ This sculpture is a striking visual reminder of the scale of the problem we’re tackling. Our Trading Standards team works tirelessly to take dangerous, illegal vape products off our streets. These products are not only harmful but often linked to wider criminal activity. Enforcement is a key part of protecting our communities and we will continue to take robust action against those who break the law. “
Staff and visitors to the Council House will be able to view the sculpture and find out more about the quit smoking support on offer from services including Be Well Walsall and the Quit with Bella app.
Background to illicit products
- In recent years, Trading Standards have confiscated thousands of illegal vapes from retailers across the borough. Unlike regulated products, these vapes often bypass strict safety laws and may contain unknown chemicals or dangerously high levels of nicotine. Some of the disposable vapes seized offered up to 15,000 puffs—more than 25 times the legal limit. Such products not only pose serious health risks but are also linked to illicit tobacco, drug trafficking, and human exploitation networks.
Vaping
- It's important for young people to know the facts about vaping so they can make an informed choice. Vaping is a way for adults to stop smoking. Public Health’s message for non-smokers, however, remains the same: if they do not smoke, they should not vape. Those under 18 years old should not be vaping and it is illegal to sell or buy vapes for under 18s.
- Vaping is less harmful than smoking but it is not risk free. Vaping exposes users to some toxins, and it is not known what the risks might be in the longer term. Most vapes contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance that can be hard to stop using once you have started. Nicotine is riskier for young people than for adults, as evidence suggests the developing brain is more sensitive to its addictive effects. To find out more visit the NHS website - Young people and vaping - Better Health - NHS
Single-use (disposable) vapes ban
- Since 1 June 2025, the UK Government has banned the sale and supply of single use (disposable) vapes to reduce youth vaping, protect public health and reduce the harm on the environment. Retailers caught selling single use vapes can face a stop or compliance notice or a £200 fine, with repeat offences resulting in an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years. The ban complements the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will further tackle youth vaping and safeguard children’s health. Guidance is available to help businesses switch to reusable (refillable and rechargeable) vapes. To find out more about the single use (disposable) vapes ban visit GOV.UK. Businesses still selling or supplying single use vapes should be reported to Trading Standards by calling 0808 223 1133 or emailing tradingstandards@walsall.gov.uk.
Quit smoking support for residents
- Be Well Walsall provides up to 12 weeks of expert support to help anyone living, working, or registered with a GP in Walsall become smoke-free. Support includes access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or vapes, to aid in quitting smoking. Text SMOKEFREE to 60777, visit https://bww.maximusuk.co.uk/, or call 01922 444044.
- Residents can also access the Quit with Bella app (fully funded by Walsall Council), which provides support from AI robo-coach Bella and the option to speak with an advisor for further help, including a 12-week supply of NRT or vapes. Download the Quit with Bella app from the App Store or Google Play or visit www.quitwithbella.com.
- A free, video-based quit smoking course from The Sound Doctor is also available for Walsall residents. This course is ideal for those considering quitting, looking for more information on how to start quitting or as a supplementary aid to somebody on a quit journey.
