Disposable vapes will be banned in the UK to protect children’s health, the Government announced today.
It also set out plans to reduce the use of vapes among children, including powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plainer packaging and change how shops display the products.
Trading standards officers will also be empowered to act ‘on the spot’ to tackle underage vape sales in England and Wales.
The announcement is part of the Government’s response to its consultation on smoking and vaping. Nearly 70% of parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and the general public said they supported a ban on disposable vapes.
The Government said there had been an ‘alarming’ rise in children vaping, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds using e-cigarettes.
It said disposable vapes were a key factor in the increase, and added that five million of the products, which are difficult to recycle, are thrown away every week.
The chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) community wellbeing board, David Fothergill, said: ‘We’re delighted that the Government has listened to the longstanding concerns of the LGA and councils and are taking decisive action to ban single-use vapes.
‘Disposable vapes are inherently unsustainable products, meaning an outright ban remains the most effective solution to this problem.
'We look forward to working with the Government and others to enforce this ban as well as ensure plans for a smokefree generation are a success.’
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