Vaping, social media, and child safety took centre stage during a recent school visit from the Watford MP.
MP Matt Turmaine, spent the morning with Year 6 pupils at Watford Field Junior School on July 10, where he discussed his work in Parliament and the community, and answered questions from around 60 students.
During the visit, MP Turmaine spoke about the UK government’s new tobacco and vaping laws, which make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1, 2009.
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He explained how the government is targeting child-friendly vape packaging and smells, and highlighted the ban on disposable vapes introduced last year.
MP Turmaine said: "The children were totally clued up to the dangers of vapes and how addictive they are. Perhaps not surprisingly, we even got on to the social media ban for Under-16s. I explained why I’d supported it, as while there are benefits the dangers to children far outweigh those."
Chief Inspector Dan Rainbird, Watford’s most senior police officer, confirmed that police cadets regularly did test purchases around town including vape shops to ensure shopkeepers were not breaking the law.
Before MP Turmaine left the classroom, teachers Mrs Kenyon and Mrs Shepherd gave him two bundles of letters from the Year 6 pupils, who had written to him about vaping as part of their PHSE curriculum.
As a thank you for their engagement, MP Turmaine gave each pupil a pencil. He also promised to reply to every letter, as well as others he had received earlier in the year from students at Coates Way JMI.
MP Turmaine joked: "Don’t worry about the weather! The heat is really on to get them all responded to by the end of term. I’ve certainly got homework to do."
The visit offered students a chance to learn first-hand about democracy, decision-making, and the challenges facing young people.
It also reinforced the importance of voicing concerns and engaging directly with those who represent them in Parliament.
MP Turmaine emphasised the value of listening to young constituents, reminding pupils that their voices matter and can help shape the future.
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