Volatile Substance Abuse

Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA) Working Group Remit 

Volatile Substance Abuse, sometimes referred to as solvent abuse, sniffing, huffing and chroming, is the habit of inhaling a volatile substance for the purpose of getting high.  It is not exclusive to the aerosol industry, but it continues to be an on-going problem with a number of deaths every year attributed to the inhalation of the content of aerosol cans.

BAMA has worked on a number of initiatives to help educate potential abusers of the dangers of inhaling the solvents and propellant found in aerosol cans. Often the root cause of the abuse is due to problems within the personal life of the abuser and VSA is a symptom of how they escape from these issues.

The initiatives BAMA has worked on include warnings about the dangers of VSA, education about the risks, and support of charitable institutions which look to help those involved with VSA.  The Association has also looked into various technical options to try and reduce the abusability of aerosol cans.

BAMA recommends that all aerosol cans, whether they contain solvents and propellants which can be abused or not, should carry a warning that Solvent Abuse Can Kill Instantly, or SACKI logo.

The BAMA VSA Working Group

• This WG will meet between 3 and 4 times per year
• These meetings will typically be by video or web conference and last approx. 1 hour
• The work of the group will take place within the competition law rules set out by BAMA
• The Group will need to appoint a Chair
• A member of the BAMA Secretariat will act as secretary
• Alternatively, the WG can be chaired by the BAMA Secretariat but a member of the group will need agree to review and approve the minutes
• The membership of the WG may be made up of BAMA members and non- members with an interest in the subject in relation to aerosols.  For example, retailers and aerosol manufacturers and marketers who are not BAMA membersAttendance by non-members of BAMA is at the discretion of the Association and the WG members
• The WG will review the latest situation around VSA involving aerosols, reviewing news cuttings and other incident reports
• It should consider what actions the Association should take in relation to these incidents
• It may consider and discuss other areas of VSA and the impact these might have on the BAMA members, the industry and society.  For example, other products covered under the Psychoactive Substances Act or products made by BAMA members.
• Typically, there will be a report from the charities which BAMA support.
• It should review and update BAMA’s Crisis Plan documents in relation to VSA when necessary
• WG members may engage with outside organisation who also have an interest in VSA
• The WG should consider global issues in relation to VSA involving aerosols
• Media alerts should cover VSA reports from all regions