The U.K. is taking steps to ban disposable vapes in an effort to protect children’s health, responding to the rising use among teenagers.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday the plan to ban disposable vapes to protect children’s health.
Even though selling any vape to individuals under 18 is already prohibited, the government believes that the disposable nature, diverse flavors, and distinctive appearance of recently introduced products in the U.K. market are significant factors contributing to the alarming increase in youth vaping.
There has been a threefold increase in the number of children using vapes over the past three years, according to recent data shared by the U.K. government. Among younger children, the trend is also on the rise, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds currently using vapes.
Disposable vapes are arguably not better than cigarettes, if only for the type and amount of waste they produce (lithium ion batteries). Obviously they’re better for the individual consumer, but they’re worse for the environment and everyone who lives in it.
However, this is what the reason for banning them should be, rather than the “think of the children!” nonsense which actually is more to do with a complete and total lack of enforcement - shops shouldn’t be selling them to children, that’s already illegal, and yet it is being allowed to happen with impunity. Banning disposables won’t suddenly end this.
Reusable vapes aren’t that much more expensive at the entry level, and they represent a far better option for everyone. But dealing with child vaping requires enforcement against shops and dealers.
I wasn’t arguing they were (they should never have been allowed in the first place as they are an environmental disaster), I was just curious about the WHO saying vaping didn’t help people quit smoking when everything I’ve seen suggests it does. However, they are going to be drawing on large meta-analyses so what do I know?
I was quite surprised that they are going to legislate to stop people putting vapes alongside sweets! You’d hope that basic human decency would prevent that, but apparently not.
Yeah the WHO comment is highly questionable, even with the vague uncertainty towards long term effects it’s very apparent that vaping is less harmful than smoking. If anything, the biggest concern should be what exactly is in the liquid you’re vaping - but then, no one ever paid much mind to there being cyanide and other nasty chemicals used in processed tobacco for cigarettes.
I’d support some legislation about where vape products should be, generally they should either be behind the counter or in 18+ only shops. Obviously you can’t trust a business not to use scummy selling practices, as evidenced by major petrol stations having vape stands right next to the tills.