The UK government has announced a ban on disposable vapes to tackle the alarming rise in youth vaping and protect children’s health. The move follows a consultation on smoking and vaping initiated in October last year, revealing a threefold increase in child vape users over the last three years, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds currently using them.
Disposable vapes, identified as a significant driver behind the surge in youth vaping, will face prohibition. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the urgency to act swiftly, expressing concerns about the unknown long-term impacts of vaping and the highly addictive nature of nicotine. He stated, “The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown, and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so while vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable.”
As part of the government’s measures, new powers will restrict flavours aimed at children, mandate plainer, less visually appealing packaging, and alter how vapes are displayed in shops to keep them out of children’s sight. Fines will be imposed on shops illegally selling vapes to children, with trading standards officers empowered to act immediately.
Vaping alternatives, including nicotine pouches, will be banned for children, aligning with the government’s commitment to creating a smoke-free generation. Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins stressed that vapes should only be used as a tool to quit smoking. She remarked, “But we are committed to doing more to protect our children from illicit underage vaping, and by banning disposable vapes, we’re preventing children from becoming hooked for life.”
In addition to benefiting children’s health, the ban is expected to positively impact the environment by reducing the disposal of approximately five million disposable vapes per week. This move aligns with the government’s broader smoke-free generation plan. The 8-week public consultation, which closed on December 6, received over 25,000 responses, with legislation based on the outcomes expected shortly.