Sculpture made out of 4,000 seized vape boxes goes on display at Walsall’s civic headquarters

An art sculpture, made up of 4,000 boxes of illicit vapes seized by trading standards officers, will be on display at Walsall Council House throughout the summer.

The installation, which is a large-scale model of a pair of lungs with a heart, was originally unveiled at Walsall College in June last year.

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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 people – particularly young people – using e-cigarettes for recreational purposes.

The artwork also aims to highlight the dangers of using illicit vaping products.

Over the past 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. 

It will now be on display at the council’s headquarters until September. 

Councillor Gary Flint, who holds the council’s health portfolio, said that while regulated vaping products could be a useful tool to help people quit smoking, he was concerned about the rise in the number of young people who were using them for recreational purposes.

“We’re delighted to host this powerful sculpture at the Walsall Council House,” he said.

“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.” 

Councillor Adam Hicken, portfolio holder for enforcement, said the art work was a striking visual reminder of the scale of the problem his department faced.

“Our trading standards team works tirelessly to take dangerous, illegal vape products off our streets,” he said.

“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 support available to help people stop smoking including Be Well Walsall and the Quit with Bella app.