The U.K. is taking steps to ban disposable vapes in an effort to protect children’s health, responding to the rising use among teenagers.

The U.K. is taking steps to ban disposable vapes in an effort to protect children’s health, responding to the rising use among teenagers.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday the plan to ban disposable vapes to protect children’s health.

Even though selling any vape to individuals under 18 is already prohibited, the government believes that the disposable nature, diverse flavors, and distinctive appearance of recently introduced products in the U.K. market are significant factors contributing to the alarming increase in youth vaping.

There has been a threefold increase in the number of children using vapes over the past three years, according to recent data shared by the U.K. government. Among younger children, the trend is also on the rise, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds currently using vapes.

  • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.ukEnglish
    3·
    11 months ago

    Disposable vapes are arguably not better than cigarettes

    I wasn’t arguing they were (they should never have been allowed in the first place as they are an environmental disaster), I was just curious about the WHO saying vaping didn’t help people quit smoking when everything I’ve seen suggests it does. However, they are going to be drawing on large meta-analyses so what do I know?

    But dealing with child vaping requires enforcement against shops and dealers.

    I was quite surprised that they are going to legislate to stop people putting vapes alongside sweets! You’d hope that basic human decency would prevent that, but apparently not.

    • TWeaK@feddit.ukEnglish
      2·
      11 months ago

      Yeah the WHO comment is highly questionable, even with the vague uncertainty towards long term effects it’s very apparent that vaping is less harmful than smoking. If anything, the biggest concern should be what exactly is in the liquid you’re vaping - but then, no one ever paid much mind to there being cyanide and other nasty chemicals used in processed tobacco for cigarettes.

      I’d support some legislation about where vape products should be, generally they should either be behind the counter or in 18+ only shops. Obviously you can’t trust a business not to use scummy selling practices, as evidenced by major petrol stations having vape stands right next to the tills.