Have your say! Is it too easy to get hold of disposable vapes?
The government has announced a deadline for the removal of disposable vapes from retail outlets, with a stark warning to retailers to clear their stock by 1 June 2025.
Have your say! Did you or someone you know get good use out of disposable vapes? How much do you see them as litter in your area? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
This decision is in response to growing concerns about children developing smoking and vaping habits due to the widespread availability of single-use vapes. These products have seen a surge in popularity over the last ten years, and the sight and smell of a vape is common in public.
READ MORE:'Significant decrease' in anti-social behaviour reported in the Humber region
READ MORE:Arrest made after armed police called to Grimsby street
It's anticipated that the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will follow suit with similar measures. The Mirror reports that there are around one million individuals in England who have taken up vaping without having previously smoked on a regular basis.
Environmental issues related to disposable vapes are also on the government's radar. An estimated five million disposable vapes are discarded weekly, ending up as waste or litter.
Each device, essentially a plastic shell with a battery, poses significant recycling challenges and the majority end up in landfills, potentially releasing harmful chemicals into the soil. In 2022 alone, it's believed that 40 tonnes of lithium from their batteries went to waste.
Initially marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional smoking, aimed at assisting smokers to quit, vapes are increasingly being promoted as a "lifestyle choice". They come in a vast array of flavours and eye-catching designs.
Despite it being illegal to sell vapes to children, they are still finding their way into young hands. Health Minister Andrew Gwynne expressed his concern, stating: "It's deeply worrying that a quarter of 11-15-year-olds used a vape last year and we know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today."
The proposed ban, along with other measures restricting the advertising of vapes and other nicotine products, form part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This Bill was prepared by the previous Conservative government but was put on hold due to the election.
However, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed that the remainder of the Bill will be introduced before Christmas.
The Bill also includes a change in the age limit for purchasing cigarettes and tobacco products. The new rules will affect anyone born after January 1, 2009, as part of efforts to create a "smoke-free Britain".
Have your say! Did you or someone you know get good use out of disposable vapes? How much do you see them as litter in your area? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.