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The debate over vaping regulations in the UK is heating up, with recent discussions in the House of Lords (upper house of Parliament) raising concerns about the growing use of disposable vaping products by children.
Advocates for a ban, including members of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee and the Liberal Democrats, argue that disposable vapes pose serious risks to public health and the environment. These products, they warn, are too easily accessible to young people, and their single-use nature creates significant environmental waste.
The vaping industry counters this with a familiar argument: banning disposable vapes will drive sales underground, leading to a rise in illicit, unregulated products. They claim that prohibiting disposables won’t eliminate demand and may push consumers to seek illegal alternatives, potentially resulting in unsafe products circulating in the market.
Nevertheless, the argument that a ban will fuel widespread illicit sales is more of an excuse to avoid action than a legitimate concern. No regulation is perfect, but doing nothing in the face of clear public health risks could be irresponsible; banning disposables may not eliminate them, but it could drastically reduce their availability and mitigate the harm they cause.
Reducing 90% of sales, even if 10% remain in illegal channels, is far better than allowing the current problem to continue unchecked. Limiting access to disposable vapes, especially for young people, would also address the growing environmental impact of these single-use devices, which are difficult to recycle and often end up as waste.
Will the new government avoid loopholes and prioritise public health?
New products have emerged since the introduction of draft rules banning disposables. These draft rules, published by the previous Conservative government, were designed to evade restrictions. When the new Labour government consults on such a ban, it must ensure that the definition of “disposable vaping product” is tightened to avoid these loopholes.
However, the industry always finds ways to exploit grey areas in the law.
Recently, the Edinburgh-based vape retail chain VPZ issued a warning about a new disposable vaping product in the UK market, featuring superficial recharging and refilling mechanisms. The product has a 2 ml pre-filled container, an extra 10 ml cartridge, and a USB charging port. But it doesn’t allow for coil replacement, rendering it a single-use device.
This design reportedly circumvents the upcoming disposables ban expected to come into force in 2025. Concerns about these new products have also been echoed by member of the Scottish parliament Gillian Mackay of the Scottish Green Party.
As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill progresses, set to be introduced in the coming weeks, it must prioritise public health, especially for young people, over the interests of an industry profiting from addiction.
– Antonia Di Lorenzo ECigIntelligence staff
Photo: AI-generated, PublicDomainPictures (background)
