The prohibition on single-use vapes is not expected to lessen the attractiveness of e-cigarettes to teenagers, as reusable models closely resemble disposables, a campaign group leader cautioned. From Sunday onward, disposable vapes will be banned in the UK in order to combat youth vaping rates and reduce electronic waste. Despite this, Hazel Cheeseman of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) noted that the similarity between new reusable vapes and single-use ones means the ban may not significantly impact product appeal. Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, stated that the government’s objective is to “take action and ban single-use vapes to reduce waste and environmental damage.”
The government has previously stated that the ban would “reduce the appeal of vapes to children.” Research from the NHS in 2024 found that a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds have experimented with vaping, and nearly 1 in 10 vape regularly. While Cheeseman welcomed the legislation as a step towards stricter regulations on vaping products, she emphasized that more robust measures are necessary to deter young non-smokers from using vapes. She highlighted that teenagers are drawn to vapes due to factors like vibrant colors, affordability, and accessibility, which will remain unchanged despite the ban.
There are concerns that some reusable vapes have identical packaging to single-use ones, are priced similarly, and provide limited instructions on refilling, making it challenging for users to alter their behavior. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will grant ministers the authority to implement measures that could diminish the appeal of vapes to teenagers, such as regulating product design, packaging, and advertising.
Vaping is considered less harmful than smoking cigarettes, but long-term health risks are still unknown. Therefore, it is recommended only as a smoking cessation aid for adults. Despite reservations about its impact on youth uptake, Cheeseman acknowledged the importance of banning disposables to alleviate the significant environmental impact of vaping.
The ban on single-use vapes was introduced under the previous government and has been upheld by the current Labour administration. Creagh emphasized that disposable vapes are wasteful and contribute to environmental pollution. The government aims to reduce the allure of vapes to children and prevent vulnerable young people from accessing them through the ban on disposable vapes.
