Rishi Sunak bans disposable vapes

 

The UK Prime Minister has announced that disposable vapes will be banned as part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in demand amongst the youth (announced on 29th January 2024 to a school)

 

Nowadays, vapes have been advertised to children with fluorescent colours, tempting flavours, and attractive packaging. The new law will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009, in a pledge to create a smokefree generation.

 

Recent figures have shown that the number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Use amongst younger children is rising, with 9% of 11- to 15-year-olds now using the highly addictive substance. The long-term impacts remain unknown with it being such a recent creation. Some symptoms can include anxiety, trouble concentrating, and headaches. All factors effecting performance in school, as well as wellbeing.

 

Rishi Sunak says:

“Alongside our commitment to stop children who turn 15 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes, these changes will leave a lasting legacy by protecting our children’s health for the long term”

 

Originating as a role in helping adult smokers to quit, the product has long strayed from its purpose.

 

To tackle underage sales, the government will also bring in new fines for shops in England and Wales which illegally sell vapes to children. Trading standards officers will be empowered to act ‘on the spot’ to prevent underage tobacco and vape sales. This builds on a maximum £2,500 fine that local authorities can already impose.

 

Some alternatives, such as nicotine pouches, will also be outlawed for children who are increasingly turning to this epidemic in our society.

 

Smoking is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer- causing around 1 in 4 cancer deaths and leading to 80,000 deaths per year- so stopping young people from ever starting to smoke will protect an entire generation, and future generations, from smoking harms as they grow up.