The British government has announced that the sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England starting from June 2025. The decision comes as part of an effort to crack down on the environmental harm caused by these products and the increasing usage levels among children.
According to the government, vaping has experienced rapid growth in Britain over the past decade, with nearly one in ten people now purchasing and using these products. While supporters argue that vapes can help individuals quit smoking, health authorities have expressed concerns that the colorful designs and fruity flavors of these products are intended to attract children.
A 2024 survey conducted by the health charity ASH revealed that approximately one in five children aged 11-17 had tried vaping, despite it being illegal to sell nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18.
The plan to ban disposable vapes was initially set out by the previous Conservative government in January, alongside a proposal to prohibit anyone aged 15 and under from buying cigarettes, which would make these some of the strictest anti-smoking rules in the world. The current Labour government also intends to introduce a comprehensive smoking bill as part of what it calls "the biggest public health intervention in a generation" to safeguard young people from becoming addicted to nicotine.
Minister for public health and prevention, Andrew Gwynne, emphasized that "banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but importantly reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people."
The government noted that in 2023, almost five million single-use vapes were discarded on the ground or thrown away in general waste every week. These products ultimately end up in landfills or are incinerated, posing a fire risk due to their lithium-ion batteries.
Health charity ASH has called for a balance in the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill to ensure that regulations do not undermine the value of vapes as an aid for tobacco smokers seeking to quit.
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