Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images / Peter Dazeley / Getty Images
Topics: Vaping, Health, UK News, NHS, Keir Starmer
Tom Earnshaw
Topics: Vaping, Health, UK News, NHS, Keir Starmer
There's a 'deeply worrying' reason behind the UK Government's decision to ban all disposable vapes in the country.
It's the latest in a creeping crackdown on vaping and smoking from politicians running the country, with former prime minister Rishi Sunak getting the ball rolling.
His successor, Sir Keir Starmer, has continued the hardline approach to improve the health of people in the country and relieve pressure on the NHS, he has previously said.
Last month, Starmer's government confirmed it was continuing with Sunak's smoking ban plans.
It means that those born after a particular year will never be legally allowed to purchase tobacco products.
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A similar ban was suggested in relation to vaping, with reports also emerging that Starmer was looking to ban smoking in beer gardens.
Now, this morning (24 October), the UK Government has confirmed the ban on vaping will go ahead, with disposable products outlawed across the country.
Those who use refillable ones can continue to do so, as it's seen as an important tool to get people to stop smoking.
At a recent press conference, Starmer said vaping is 'a huge burden on the NHS, and, of course, it’s a burden on the taxpayer'.
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"So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space," he said.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is the piece of legislation that will pave the way for both the smoking and now disposable vaping ban.
Outside of relieving the burden on the NHS, health minister Andrew Gwynne revealed one 'deeply worrying' reason behind the ban.
“It’s deeply worrying that a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds used a vape last year and we know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today," he revealed.
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“Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but importantly reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people.
“The government will also introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – the biggest public health intervention in a generation – which will protect young people from becoming hooked on nicotine and pave the way for a smoke-free UK.”
Libby Peake, head of resources at Green Alliance, said: “Disposable vapes are the last thing our children and the planet need, and for too long the market for them has been allowed to grow unchecked.”
Under the bill, smoking will be banned for everyone born after 1 January, 2009.
It won't be illegal to smoke; rather, you just won't be allowed to purchase tobacco products, and businesses will be prosecuted for selling to those born after this date, the government has said.
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The ban on disposable vapes will come in to force from 1 June, 2025.