DISPOSABLE vapes are set to be banned by law to stop kids getting hooked.
Ministers are preparing to unveil new restrictions next week to clamp down on fruity and colourful e-cigarettes like trendy Elfbar and Lost Mary brands.
It will include an outright ban on disposables, according to reports.
Health chiefs say the vapes are blatantly designed to appeal to youngsters and are being illegally sold in corner shops next to sweets for as little as £3.
Rules are also set to limit the flavours that are allowed, increase tax paid on them and more tightly control advertising, according to The Telegraph.
Other regulations that were floated included hiding e-cigarettes in cabinets behind shop counters or selling them in plain packaging.
It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last year admitted he was afraid his 10 and 12-year-old daughters would take up vaping.
The PM said in May: “Vaping should be promoted for those adults who currently smoke because it’s a much less riskier activity than smoking nicotine based cigarettes.
“They shouldn’t be deliberately targeting children – that’s illegal.”
A record 4.5million Brits now vape, with 15.5 per cent of under-25s now puffing on one every day.
Experts are particularly concerned about growing use in kids, with one in ten children aged 11 to 15 regularly using them, according to the NHS.
At least two pupils in every year 10 classroom have vaped at one point or another, according to the health service.
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said it was “utterly unacceptable” for children to be using them.
Health risks of vaping in children
The health effects of nicotine on youngsters is not well understood but there are fears they could switch to cigarettes after getting addicted, or it could affect brain development.
However, ministers want adults to still be able to use vapes because it is one of the best ways to quit tobacco.
Vape companies claim coming down too hard on the flavours or making them too expensive could drive smokers back to fags, which are much worse for their health.
Marcus Saxton, chair of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, said: “Children and those who have not smoked should not be using vapes but bans on single-use vapes and flavours will make it harder for smokers to quit.
Children and those who have not smoked should not be using vapes
Marcus Saxton
“Research by Cancer Research UK and University College London shows the critical role that single-use vapes are playing in helping the 6.4million smokers in the UK to quit.
“Bans do not work.”
Mark Oates, director of We Vape, said: “Our research has shown this will drive more than a million ex-smokers to buy unregulated products underground, or simply start smoking again.
“Banning a product doesn’t remove demand, it increases it.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “The health advice on vaping is clear: vaping can play a role in helping adult smokers to quit, but if you don’t smoke, don’t vape – and children should never vape.
“We have consulted on measures to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children. We will set out further details in due course.”
What are the health risks of vaping?
Although e-cigarettes are almost certainly significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco, they aren’t risk free.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, as well as other ingredients such as propylene glycol, glycerine and flavourings.
E-cigarettes have been regulated by the government since May 2016. From April 2017 it’s illegal to sell e-cigarettes to, or buy them for, under 18s.
If you use e-cigarettes as a complete replacement for smoking, you’ll almost certainly benefit your health.
The health benefit comes from stopping smoking, not using an e-cigarette.
It will be some time until studies will show the long-term impact and any unforeseen risks of using e-cigarettes.
More is known about the safety and effectiveness of other stop smoking medications.
Source: NHS Inform
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
