UK wants to ban disposable electronic cigarettes

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, said this Monday (29.Jan.2024) that the country plans to ban disposable electronic cigarettes after a “alarming” increased use of the device among young people.

“As prime minister, I have an obligation to do what I believe is right for our country in the long term. That’s why I’m taking bold action to ban disposable vaporizers.”, he stated. Read the full statement (PDF – 363 kB, in English).

According to government data, the number of children who use vaporizers – also known as “vapes”– in the country has tripled in the last 3 years –9% of 11-15 year olds are vaping.

Among young people aged 11 to 17, the number of users has increased almost 9 times in the last 2 years. The data is viewed with concern by the government, as the impacts of prolonged use of vaporizers are not yet known.

“If you talk to any parent or teacher, they will tell you about the worrying trend of increased vape use among young people. Children shouldn’t be using e-cigarettes, we don’t want them to become addicted. We still don’t understand the long-term consequences.”afirmou Altar.

To prevent the upward trend from continuing, the government wants to:

• restrict flavored vaporizers;
• packaging that is less visually appealing to young people;
• fine for anyone selling to minors.

Sunak, however, says it is important to maintain “vapes” available for adults who want to stop smoking: “For these people, it is obviously preferable for them to use vapes rather than traditional cigarettes”.

In 2023, the British government launched the campaign “swap to stop“, or “switch to stop”, in free translation into Portuguese. The Health Minister at the time, Neil O’Brien, said the country would offer help to around 1 million smokers. How: With a free kit “vape”.

“Cigarettes are the only products on sale that, if used correctly, kill”said O’Brien in a statement issued by the government on April 11, 2023. Read the full text (PDF – 249 kB, in English).

FRANCE ALSO WANTS TO BAN

The UK is not alone in trying to ban “vapes”. The French National Assembly had already unanimously approved in December 2023 a ban on the sale of disposable vaporizers in the country. Here is the full document (PDF – 2 MB, in French).

In the text, the project’s rapporteurs, deputy Francesca Pasquini and deputy Michel Lauzzana, also ask for the suspension of the “manufacture, distribution or free offer” of disposable devices.

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