UK may ban disposable vapes in 2024

LONDON: Local councils in England and Wales have called for the ban of disposable vapes in 2024, citing litter problems, fire hazards, and their strong appeal to children as main concerns.

According to the Local Government Association, 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away each year in the UK.

Meanwhile, NielsenIQ data suggests that nearly 300 million e-cigarettes (including disposable vapes) were sold in the UK last year.

Chinese brands like Elfbar and Lost Mary are increasingly popular, not just to smokers looking for alternatives, but children and young adults who have no history of smoking.

The UK Vaping Industry Association defends vaping as a quitting method for smokers.

However, the appeal of disposable vapes with their bright packaging and flavour variety extends to underage users.

Further, disposable vapes are single-use, offering a few hundred puffs of nicotine vapor before being thrown away, leading to more waste.

They are easier to use than conventional vapes but contain a small lithium battery that can cause fires when crushed.

The anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health has suggested that higher taxes and stronger controls instead of a ban may be a better option. There are concerns that a blanket ban will lead to the proliferation of dangerous black market products.

The UK government is reviewing the environmental and health impacts of vaping and considering responses.