The UK's Call to Ban Disposable Vapes

In an effort to tackle the growing concern of youth vaping and environmental pollution, the United Kingdom is gearing up to implement a ban on disposable vapes.

Due to the widespread availability of vaping products and their array of sweet flavours and colourful packaging, vaping among young people has surged dramatically. According to the latest data from ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), vaping among children has nearly doubled in the past two years alone. And a staggering 69% of 11–17-year-olds who vape opt for disposable devices, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action to address this growing public health crisis.

Lester Morse, director and founder of Rehabs UK, stated “Many young people believe that vaping is less harmful than smoking, because of clever marketing specifically targeting teenagers to make it look more innocent.

“While underage tobacco use has declined steadily due to advertising restrictions and public health campaigns, we are now letting e-cigarette companies get away with blatantly designing these highly addictive substances to appeal to children.

Image Credit: BBC News

“Vape shops are literally laid out like sweet shops. Funky colours, fruity flavours, and slick designs, it’s no wonder that teens are flocking to vape shops like flies to lemonade.

“The truth is that researchers don’t know the long-term effects of vaping, but studies so far suggest it does far more harm than good. We can’t sit around and wait for more data, because we’re gambling with the lives of young people in the process”.

While vaping is often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, the long-term health effects of e-cigarette use remain largely unknown. However, research from the National Institutes of Health has linked e-cigarette use to a heightened incidence of respiratory symptoms.

Vaping exposes the lungs to a variety of harmful substances, including volatile organic compounds and ultrafine particles. Prolonged use of vaping devices can damage lung tissue, impair respiratory function, and increase respiratory infections. Adolescents who engage in vaping are particularly vulnerable to experiencing these adverse health effects.  

Another driving force behind the ban stems from concerns regarding its environmental impact.

According to Greenpeace, disposable vapes pose a significant challenge to recycling efforts, resulting in a staggering amount of waste: in the UK, nearly five million vapes are binned each week.

Image Credit: Daily Record

Beyond the immediate issue of waste management, the materials compromising disposable vapes pose hazards to not only humans, but the environment too. Lithium batteries, commonly found in these devices, are highly flammable and have caused dangerous fires in waste processing facilities and bin lorries.

Additionally, whether littered or in landfill, there’s a high risk of harmful chemicals such as battery acid, lithium, and nicotine leaking into the environment, presenting threats to wildlife and ecosystems alike.

Charlotte Lister, a volunteer for the RSPCA, said “I think it’s a fabulous ban to implement. It will have a profound impact on our wildlife and oceans, and, it will also lead to a reduction in wildfires and fatalities from choking hazards. It’s essential for everyone to consider not only the immediate implications of vaping but also the far-reaching consequences it can inflict on our communities.”

The implementation of the upcoming vape ban signals a significant step in addressing both public health and environmental sustainability. For further details on the ban’s specifics, click here.