The UK government is gearing up to phase out the sale of cigarettes and crack down on vaping, ahead of a bill in February to limit marketing and flavors that appeal to youth.
Ban on Disposable E-Cigarettes to Deter Young Users
Ministers will announce plans to ban disposable or single-use e-cigarettes to stop vaping habits from taking hold among children and teenagers.
Research released in January found that 50% of 18-24-year-olds who use disposable vapes had no history of smoking. Health experts warn that low prices as cheap as £3 lure in youth with "pocket money" prices.
While retaining e-cigs as an avenue for smokers to quit, the ban aims to prevent non-smoking youth from picking up the vaping habit. Marketing limitations and flavor restrictions will likely accompany the disposable vape ban.
Vaping Prevalence Soars Among Young Adults
A Cancer Research UK study uncovered a concerning rise in disposable e-cigarette use. From January 2021 to August 2022, overall adult usage grew from 0.1% to 4.9%.
But prevalence among 18-24-year-olds is significantly higher at 14.4%. And 7.1% of young adults use disposable vapes without any history of smoking.
Researchers caution that banning disposables must align with measures guiding current vapers to switch to refillable e-cigarettes rather than migrating back to cigarettes.
Towards a Smoke-Free Future
The disposable vape ban comes ahead of legislation to incrementally raise the minimum age for buying cigarettes. The goal is to eventually phase out cigarette sales altogether.
Expected to see debate in early February, the bill would make the UK the first country to introduce such trailblazing measures. Lawmakers will get a free vote while Labour MPs must vote in favor.
New Zealand passed a similar sales ban under former PM Jacinda Ardern. But the incumbent government now plans to overturn the yet-to-take-effect law.
Global Momentum to Curb Youth Vaping
The UK joins other countries already cracking down on flavored, disposable e-cigs.
In 2020, the US FDA began regulating all e-cigarettes, authorizing only tobacco flavors. Yet illegal online and in-store trade in banned variants continues thriving.
Lawmakers worldwide face the balancing act of reducing youth vaping while retaining e-cigs as an offramp for adult smokers. The UK's phased cigarette sale ban accompanied by disciplined vape regulation provides a potential blueprint.
