Mom who forced her 11-month-old baby boy to inhale vape in horrifying video won't face any charges
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WARNING: Distressing content
KEMPSEY, NEW SOUTH WALES: Police have said that they won't be filing any charges against a mother from New South Wales who was seen watching as her 11-month-old infant boy was made to inhale from a vape.
In the upsetting footage, a mother from Kempsey on the mid-north coast of New South Wales can be seen laughing while watching as the infant's aunt puts the vape in his mouth. The baby coughs and exhales smoke in the background as other people, possibly family, can be seen laughing. "Want to try?" a woman can be heard asking in the video.
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No action from police will be taken
NSW Police claims that they have looked into the situation and visited the Kempsey residence on February 28 "following a concern-for-welfare report" regarding the child. “Police have now spoken with the child’s family and – following advice provided by with medical professionals and other governmental agencies – no further police action will be taken,” they said in a statement.
'Disgusting ... I can’t believe this'
After being shared on social media earlier in the week and receiving hundreds of comments, the video sparked uproar online. “Who gives their kid a vape, grow up and be a better mother,” one person commented. “How can you put the vape up to your own son’s mouth and watch him suck on it and laugh while he’s choking and coughing,” read another comment.
Shocked viewers also stated that they were "disgusted" by the family's behavior. “It’s terrible, everyone can’t believe it. Why would you give a young baby, a vape?” one local told 7NEWS. “Disgusting ... I can’t believe this,” said another.
Vaping has been linked to long-term lung damage
According to specialists, if this sort of behavior is accepted as usual, other kids may also be exposed in addition to the toddler in the video. “It is incredibly alarming to see that video of that poor child,” Paige Preston from the Lung Foundation told 7NEWS. “This is a massive concern because it does normalize vaping, it makes light of something that is incredibly dangerous to children and to adults,” they added.
The use of electronic cigarettes and vaping, she continued, has been linked to both immediate and long-term lung damage. The video's comments indicate that the baby has been transported to the hospital. It's unclear, though, whether he is experiencing any symptoms or if he was only admitted for observation.
