The UK government is considering a ban on single-use vapes amid growing concerns about their appeal to children and teenagers.
Health ministers are expected to make an announcement regarding the ban as early as next week, following a review of these products.
Disposable vapes often come in enticing flavours like pink lemonade and gummy bear, potentially attracting younger users.
The ban, if implemented, will be disclosed as part of a consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care.
While Science Minister Michelle Donelan did not confirm the ban, she said, “We have been looking into this and doing a review because this is a very worrying trend that we’re seeing.
“Young children are taking up vaping who have never smoked before and it is extremely dangerous to their health and well-being and it is something we do need to act on. And as a government what we are trying to do is recognise what are the key challenges.”
Research from recycling campaign group Material Focus recently revealed a fourfold increase in the disposal of disposable vapes in the UK, totalling five million per week over the past year.
Although over seven million single-use vapes are purchased weekly in the UK (double the 2022 figure), only 17 percent are correctly recycled.
Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, described the issue as having gotten “out of control”. Material Focus research found that 73 percent of UK vapers discard single-use vapes, with 33 percent of vapers aged 16 to 18 admitting to disposing of their vapes in bins at educational or workplace locations.
England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, also stressed that marketing vapes to children is unacceptable and urged non-smokers not to vape.
The ban aims to protect public health, especially among young people, and reduce environmental impacts from these disposable products.
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