While you might still be unable to get through the working day without a couple of vape breaks, or sit puffing away while you’re working from home, a UK crackdown is on its way.
Rishi Sunak is taking action on the vaping industry, as he hopes to deter young people and children from picking up the habit. Launched back in October 2023, the government has been rolling out strict changes as a part of its consultation on smoking and vaping with a ban set to happen.
An indisputably unhealthy habit, vaping has been on the rise with young people and the Prime Minister wants to take action ‘before it becomes endemic’.
With the total crackdown due in less than a year, Sunak previously said: “As Prime Minister I have an obligation to do what I think is the right thing for our country in the long term.
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"That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes – which have driven the rise in youth vaping – and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.
“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”.
Here’s a rundown of the proposed changes due to come into force for this vaping crackdown.
Cracking down on displays in shops
Vapes on the shelves of shops might soon be a thing of the past as e-cigarettes might get the smoking treatment.
They could instead become something you can only get from a covered-up spot behind the counter.
Tackling packaging
Going for the cigarette approach by plastering packs with pictures of damaged lungs might be out of the question, but one idea that is on the table is getting rid of brightly coloured vapes.
Garish colours are said to appeal to children and that could soon be a thing of the past as the government try to put people off the e-cigarettes.
Restricting flavours
Like the bright colours, the government could look at getting rid of flavours of vapes which are seen as made to target children.
Pumping up prices
Some charities have called for vapes to become more expensive to stop children from spending their pocket money on the habit.
There are disposable vapes which can be bought for a fiver and there could be punitive taxes slapped on vaping to make it much more expensive to get into.
New powers to punish
Local authorities could have new abilities to punish those who are breaking the law around vaping and selling vapes.
Retailers could face on-the-spot fines for places which are caught selling to under 18s and which do not carry out proper ID checks.
Nailing other nicotine products
With nicotine addiction such a dangerous part of vaping and smoking there could be action taken against other products, such as snus, which can get people hooked on the habit.
Nicotine pouches could also find themselves on the chopping block.
Ditching disposable vapes
More than half of vapers have used disposable vapes, but under government plans they could disappear from shelves in the UK.
Government ministers worry that these things are both attractive to children and harmful to the environment.
Topics: Rishi Sunak, Vaping, UK News
Jess Battison