Back in the day, if you asked your mother if you could vape, she would produce a jar of Vicks rub and tell you to stick your nose in it to relieve congestion.

Although those of us, who have weathered a few storms and got the marks and wrinkles to prove it, might still have the old blue jar in the bathroom cupboard, it is the modern vaping that is now making headlines.

A recent Scottish Government report found that 22 per cent of all under-18s - around 78,000 - are believed to have used a vape last year, with more young people using them than smoking cigarettes.

It found that most e-cigarette users under 18 prefer single use vapes. And, therein, lies the rub...and I don't mean Vicks.

It seems, significantly, that the review by Zero Waste Scotland estimated that up to 2.7 million single-use vapes were littered in Scotland last year. You see them strewn about everywhere, particularly in Largs and local towns.

Step forward a local hero, Sam Nicolson, who posted on social media recently to say that "the schools are back and so are the vapes."

The intrepid Sam pointed out that while out doing his voluntary litter picking during the school holidays he only picked up "the odd one or two" disposable vapes. ]

However, in one day last week while out in the Surrey Glen, Glenacre Drive, Kelvin Street and Haco Street area of Largs, he collected a veritable variety of vapes, some of which are pictured here.

Sam complained that too many outlets in the town were selling what he described as "contraptions", and that the vendors didn't seem to care who they sold them to.

"These things are a danger to health," he added, "so get wise and stop buying them."

On Facebook, Jennifer Wightman congratulated Sam, but said that she witnessed kids stealing them - to which he replied that he would have thought that vapes were stored like cigarettes for security.

Anne de Koning stated that Largs had three vape shops within a stone's throw of each other, but someone calculated that there were as many as a dozen outlets.

Sam stated: "One is too many, 12 is a disgrace."

Marc Leonard of The Vape Shop, next to the train station, gave a guarantee that no underage sales took place at the premises, In fact, if a policy called Challenge 25 is implemented, no vapes are sold to anyone who cannot prove their age.

The government's proposed ban on disposable vapes, which are marketed in all sorts of 'fruity' and sweetie flavours such as watermelon, bubblegum and caramel, was supported on local social media by our Dutch piper friend, Eddy Van Kaathoven, who asked: "Is Humza listening?" (And I don't think he meant Humza at the local restaurant.)

Yes, it seems that school pupils making their way along the road with Monster Munches and Irn Bru are a sight of the past. They're now puffing away on their chocolate, strawberry and menthol vapes. Then discarding them.

Largs Beach Clean group stated: "Thankyou Sam for all that you continue to do."

Personally, I wondered why Sam has been missing from the walking football sessions. Answer: he's getting more exercise, patrolling the streets and parks, bending down picking up our litter. Keep up the good work.

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Thought for the Week: How come there's enough tarmac to make speed bumps but not enough to fill potholes?

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Largs' first ever Memory Walk in aid of Alzheimers and dementia charities takes place this Sunday, September 17, at Barrfields Park from 12 noon to around 3pm.

You can register on the day from 11.30am, with a donation to cover anything from one lap or as many as you like around the perimeter of the football field.

It is expected that Largs Boys Brigade Pipe Band will lead off the walkers from 12.30pm after a short Tai Chi warm up on the park.  

There will be musical entertainment, catering by Largs Thistle, including a bar, a tombola and a series of stalls. 

Look out for the walking footballers making an exhibition of themselves at some point. Those arriving late can still take part.

The volunteers of the Dementia Friendly Largs Committee, in association with Alzheimers Scotland, are organising the day. You can register and donate before the event on dementialargs.co.uk/memorywalk, which can include the purchase of a special purple t-shirt.  Anyone taking part will receive a certificate of participation.

It is about remembering - if that is the appropriate word - loved ones, past and present living with dementia.

See you there, hopefully.