‘Inherently unsustainable’ disposable vapes ought to be banned in UK, native councils say

Local councils are calling for disposable vapes to be banned within the UK by subsequent yr on environmental and well being grounds.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, has stated it’s “crucial” a ban comes into power “rapidly” to cease a flood of single-use vapes into the UK market.

France is contemplating a ban by the tip of 2023, with the European Union anticipated to comply with swimsuit in 2026.

The LGA has described disposable vapes as “a hazard” for waste collectors and stated they’re “almost impossible to recycle without going through special treatment”.

It additionally raised issues in regards to the affect of vaping on youngsters and younger folks, notably how they’re marketed with vibrant designs and flavours.

David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, stated: “Councils are not anti-vapes, which are shown to be less harmful than smoking and have a place as a tool to use in smoking cessation.

“However, disposable vapes are essentially flawed of their design and inherently unsustainable merchandise, that means an outright ban will show more practical than makes an attempt to recycle extra vapes.

“Single-use vapes blight our streets as litter, are a hazard in our bin lorries, are expensive and difficult to deal with in our recycling centres. Their colours, flavours and advertising are appealing to children and the penalties for retailers selling them don’t go far enough.

“Councils urge the federal government to take this motion to guard our planet, maintain youngsters secure and save taxpayers’ cash.”

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Public well being charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) stated it couldn’t help the decision for a full ban as it could “turbo-charge” the unlawful sale of e-cigarettes to youngsters.

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Deputy chief govt Hazel Cheeseman stated: “ASH is sympathetic to calls by the LGA and others to ban single-use disposable e-cigarettes but the risk of unintended consequences is too great for us to support a ban.

“Children already discover it straightforward to pay money for unlawful vapes as these promoting them haven’t any qualms promoting to youngsters. Making all of them unlawful will not assist. The sale of unlawful disposable vapes, already giant and rising, might be turbo-charged if they’re banned.”

Ms Cheeseman stated ASH helps an excise tax on disposable vapes to make them much less inexpensive whereas giving extra energy to these controlling their import, distribution and sale.

A authorities spokesperson stated: “We are concerned about the use of vaping products, particularly among young people. That is why we launched a call for evidence to examine both the environmental and health impact of vapes, and identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing them.

“We strongly encourage all customers to think about the setting and dispose {of electrical} waste, together with by making use of take again schemes at collaborating retailers.”

Earlier this month, the British Medical Association voted to evaluate the potential risks of vaping in a bid to sort out what it described as a “growing epidemic”.

It will take a look at the risks of vaping and name for plain packaging on e-cigarettes in keeping with tobacco and cigarettes.

Members may even push for a ban on flavoured vapes and stated extra ought to be finished about merchandise being offered to under-18s illegally.