Ban on single-use vapes: UK governments aim to stop children vaping

Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner admits she wishes she could give up vaping following reports that the government is considering banning disposable single-use vapes in an effort to protect young peoples health

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that the UK government is set to ban single-use vapes to halt nicotine addiction in children as early as next week.

MP Angela Rayner has admitted she took up vaping to quit smoking but found it “incredibly addictive” and wishes she could give it up.

Minister Michelle Donelan has not denied the reports predicting a ban on single-use vapes.

Are vapes marketed towards children?

The Science and Technology Secretary explains that following a ‘worrying trend’ in children using vapes, the government has been considering a single-use vape ban for some time.

Young children taking up vaping that had never smoked before

“This is a very worrying trend that we’re seeing, of young children taking up vaping that had never smoked before, and it is extremely dangerous to their health and their wellbeing is something that we do need to act on,” Minister Michelle Donelan said.

The government’s choice to examine disposable vapes comes in response to local councils advising that these devices be banned due to increasing environmental and health concerns.

Sky News reported that the Local Government Association (LGA), representing councils in England and Wales, has emphasised the urgency to implement the ban on single-use vapes to prevent a product surge in the UK market.

Single-use vapes cause environmental and health concerns

The LGA has characterised disposable vapes as a significant risk to waste disposal workers and noted their extreme difficulty in recycling without specialised treatment.

Ms. Ryder accused the government of opposing her party’s proposal to ban vapes targeted at children, adding: “We want to ensure that vapes are used to get people off smoking as a tool because smoking is very harmful to people’s health. But we also have to ensure that our children understand that vaping is not a way forward for them.”

We also have to ensure that our children understand that vaping is not a way forward for them

Speaking on her habits, Ms Ryder wishes she could give up vaping and wants to urge young children to know that vaping isn’t a way forward and is incredibly easy to become addicted.

In addition to considering a potential ban, the government ministers have also expressed their intention to take firm action against the “unacceptable” marketing of vapes directed at children.

Early this year, in May, the government committed to closing the loophole that permits shops to provide vape samples to children; there will also be a review on nicotine-free vapes being sold to those under 18, and any shops that illegally sell vapes to children could face fines.