Government Cites Environmental Concerns and Rising Youth Vaping Rates
The British government has announced new legislation that will ban single-use vapes starting from June 2025, calling the products wasteful and damaging to the environment. The joint statement from the UK health and environment departments also highlights the move as a step towards curbing the use of vapes by young people.
Single-use vapes, which are not rechargeable, are often thrown away or littered, contributing to environmental pollution. Andrew Gwynne, the public health and prevention minister, expressed deep concern over the rising vape usage among young people, stating, "It's deeply worrying that a quarter of 11-15-year-olds used a vape last year and we know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today."
Gwynne added, "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."
Survey Reveals Alarming Increase in Vaping Among Non-Smokers
A recent survey in England found that one million adults who did not regularly smoke have now taken up vaping, with the increase primarily driven by young people. The survey revealed that 14 percent of 18 to 24-year-old non-regular smokers now use e-cigarettes.
The health and environment departments' joint statement also noted that vape usage in England has increased by more than 400 percent between 2012 and 2023. The recycling non-profit group Material Focus estimated that nearly 5 million single-use vapes are thrown away every week, a fourfold increase from the previous year.
Businesses Given Time to Sell Remaining Stock
The ban, which is subject to parliamentary approval, gives businesses until June 1, 2025, to sell their remaining stock of single-use vapes. The government expects that enforcement dates will be aligned with devolved governments, with the Welsh government already confirming the June date for the legislation to enter into force.
Several European countries have also planned to ban disposable vapes, with the European Commission approving French and Belgian legislation earlier this year.
While the UK's National Health Service (NHS) acknowledges that vaping is much less harmful than cigarette smoking, it emphasizes that vaping is not "completely harmless" and recommends it only for adult smokers as a smoking cessation tool.
