LONDON: Councils in England and Wales are urging the UK government to implement a ban on the sale of single-use vapes by 2024, citing environmental and health reasons. The Local Government Association (LGA), representing councils in England and Wales, emphasized the urgency of such a ban, as the European Union plans to ban disposable vapes by 2026, and France intends to implement a ban by December of this year. There is a concern that if markets close and bans are not in place, the UK could face an influx of disposable vapes.
The LGA highlighted the environmental impact of disposable vapes, stating that 1.3 million of them are discarded every week. These products pose hazards to waste and litter collection and have been known to cause fires in waste collection vehicles. The design of single-use vapes, which combines batteries with non-recyclable plastic, makes them extremely difficult to recycle without specialized treatment.
Vapes Impact on Children
In addition to environmental concerns, councils are also worried about the impact of vaping on children and young people. The LGA believes that an outright ban on disposable vapes would be more effective than attempts to improve recycling rates for these products.
However, the UK Vaping Industry Association defended the use of disposable vapes, emphasizing their accessibility and affordability for smokers looking to quit tobacco. The association argued that disposables have been available for over a decade and play a role in helping individuals transition away from smoking. They also cautioned that a ban could lead to an increase in black market products.
The debate around disposable vapes continues as councils advocate for a ban to address environmental issues and protect public health, while the vaping industry asserts the benefits these products provide in smoking cessation efforts.
