Disposable vapes are set to be banned across the UK by the end of this year under new plans to be announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments intend to introduce legislation to outlaw the products due to their environmental impact and the risks they pose to children’s health.
According to government data, the number of kids who vape has tripled in the past three years, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds having taken up the habit.
This has largely been driven by the rise in disposable vapes: in just the past two years, the number of 11 to 17-year-old vapers using disposables has risen by around 900%, government figures showed.
The PM will announce the plans, which would be implemented using powers under the Environmental Protection Act, during a visit to a school on Monday.
He said: ‘As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends at the moment is the rise in vaping among children, and so we must act before it becomes endemic.
‘The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so while vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable.’
It is expected that the ban would come into force at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.
As well as banning disposables, Mr Sunak pledged to bring forward new powers to restrict certain vape flavours that may appeal to kids, introduce plain packaging, and change how the products are displayed in shops.
In England and Wales, new £100 fines will be brought in for shops which sell vapes illegally to children.
Vaping alternatives, such as nicotine patches, are also going to be banned for children.
It comes after the government announced plans to stop children who turn 15 this year – and all those younger – from ever being able to legally buy a cigarette by increasing the smoking age by a year every year.
The prime minister said the changes would ‘leave a lasting legacy by protecting our children’s health for the long term’.
While pushing hard on efforts to discourage kids from taking up vaping, the government will continue to promote it as a healthier alternative for current adult smokers.
Last April, the Department of Health introduced its Swap to Stop scheme, which will give almost one in five of all adult smokers in England access to a vape kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit.
Commenting on the latest announcement, Health Secretary Victoria Adkins said vapes ‘should only ever be used as a tool to quit smoking.
‘But we are committed to doing more to protect our children from illicit underage vaping, and by banning disposable vapes we’re preventing children from becoming hooked for life.’
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