The UKVIA is dismayed to hear strong rumours that the government is going to ban disposable vapes. While it is critical that action is taken to prevent youth access to vaping, such a move would effectively see vapers being sacrificed for votes ahead of the upcoming General Election.
Single-use vapes have been instrumental in bringing the UK’s smoking rates down to their lowest levels on record and have played a critical role in helping adults quit and stay off cigarettes. Only this week, new research from University College London revealed that a ban could discourage the use of vaping as a stop smoking tool and trigger relapse amongst those who have already used disposables to quit, negatively impacting almost two million former and current smokers.
A ban on single use products will lead to higher smoking rates with more lives lost. Furthermore, it means the Government can wave goodbye to its smokefree 2030 targets. The only winner will be the black market, which will present a much greater risk to children and adults.
The solution to youth vaping doesn’t lie in bans and restrictions, but rather in effective and proactive enforcement of the laws that exist which make it illegal for sales to U18 year olds.
The UKVIA will issue further statements as more news become available.