UK plans to ban disposable vapes amid health and environmental concerns

The UK government has announced its intention to ban disposable vapes, which are single-use e-cigarettes that are popular among young people. The ban is part of the Health and Care Bill, which aims to improve the health and social care system in the country. The government says the ban will protect the health of children and the environment, but some experts and industry representatives have opposed the ban, saying it will harm the vaping sector and the public health.

Disposable vapes are small, cheap, and easy to use devices that contain nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and artificial flavors. They are designed to be used once and then thrown away, and they come in various colors and flavors, such as candy, fruit, and mint. Disposable vapes have become increasingly popular among young people, who are attracted by their novelty and variety.

According to the government, the number of children aged 11 to 17 who use vapes has tripled in the past three years, from 4.1% in 2020 to 7.6% in 2023. The government says this is a worrying trend, as vaping can expose young people to nicotine addiction, harmful chemicals, and potential gateway effects to smoking. The government also says that disposable vapes are a key driver behind the rise in youth vaping, as they are more accessible and appealing to children than refillable vapes.

A ban to protect the health and the environment

The government has proposed to ban disposable vapes as part of the Health and Care Bill, which is currently going through the House of Commons. The bill, which covers various aspects of the health and social care system, such as the integration of services, the regulation of professionals, and the funding of social care, also includes measures to prevent and reduce smoking and vaping, such as banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2009, and banning the sale of disposable vapes to anyone.

The government says the ban on disposable vapes will protect the health of children and the environment, as disposable vapes are harmful to both. The government says that disposable vapes:

• Contain high levels of nicotine, which can cause addiction and adverse effects on the brain, heart, and lungs, especially among young people, who are more vulnerable to nicotine exposure and addiction.
• Contain unknown and potentially harmful chemicals, which are not regulated or tested, and can cause irritation, inflammation, and allergic reactions in the respiratory system, as well as cancer and other diseases.
• Contain plastic, metal, and lithium batteries, which are not recyclable and end up in landfills or oceans, polluting the soil and water, and harming the wildlife.

The government says the ban on disposable vapes will encourage smokers and vapers to switch to reusable and refillable devices, which are safer and more sustainable, and will support the government’s ambition to make the UK smoke-free by 2030.

An opposition to protect the industry and the choice

The ban on disposable vapes has been opposed by some experts and industry representatives, who say it will harm the vaping sector and the public health. The opposition is led by former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who is also the leader of the Free Enterprise Group, a right-wing faction within the Conservative Party. The opposition has tabled amendments to the Health and Care Bill to block the ban, claiming that it is unnecessary and counterproductive.

The opposition says the ban on disposable vapes will harm the vaping sector, which is worth £2 billion and employs 15,000 people in the UK, and which has been praised by the government as a world leader in harm reduction and regulation. The opposition says the ban will reduce the competitiveness and innovation of the vaping sector, and will hurt the small and medium-sized businesses that produce and sell disposable vapes.

The opposition also says the ban on disposable vapes will harm the public health, as disposable vapes are an effective and attractive tool for smoking cessation, which has helped more than 3 million smokers quit or reduce smoking in the UK, and which has been endorsed by the government and the public health bodies as 95% less harmful than smoking. The opposition says the ban will reduce the choice and convenience of smokers and vapers, who prefer disposable vapes for their affordability, availability, and variety, and who may revert to smoking or black market products if the ban is imposed.

A heated debate and an uncertain outcome

The debate over the ban on disposable vapes has been heated and polarized, with both sides accusing each other of being misguided and irresponsible. Vape campaigners have slammed the opposition, calling them “ignorant”, “selfish”, and “corrupt”. They have accused them of being influenced by the tobacco and vaping lobby, and of putting the profits of the industry above the welfare of the people and the planet. They have also urged the government and the Labour Party to stand firm and pass the ban, which they say is “long overdue” and “common sense”.

The opposition has defended their position, calling it “pragmatic”, “sensible”, and “liberal”. They have accused the vape campaigners of being “fanatical”, “paternalistic”, and “nanny state”. They have argued that they are acting in the best interest of the consumers and the taxpayers, and of promoting the free market and the individual choice. They have also challenged the government and the Labour Party to reconsider and reject the ban, which they say is “unnecessary” and “counterproductive”.

The outcome of the debate is uncertain, as the ban on disposable vapes is one of the many contentious issues in the Health and Care Bill, which is expected to be voted on in the next few weeks. The bill has faced opposition and criticism from various groups and parties, and has been subject to several amendments and delays. The fate of the ban on disposable vapes will depend on the majority and the consensus of the MPs.