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The UK will prohibit disposable vapes as a part of the prime minister’s strategy to address the increase in youth vaping and safeguard the well-being of children.
The announcement will take place during a school visit on Monday and is a component of the government’s answer to its examination on smoking and vaping, which was initiated in October of last year.
Recent data reveals that the amount of underage individuals who vape has tripled within the past three years. A notable portion (nine percent) of 11 to 15-year-olds are using these devices, and the number of 11 to 17-year-old vapers has increased nearly nine times over the past two years.
Limitations will be imposed on the variety of flavors, packaging options, and how the product is marketed.
Legislative measures will be implemented to limit the variety of flavors, mandate more basic packaging, and alter the presentation of vaping products in retail stores, relocating them to areas not easily visible to minors. Elected officials advocating for this change have frequently noted the use of candy-inspired names and eye-catching colors in the marketing of these products.
Revised: Additional penalties will be implemented for retail stores that unlawfully sell e-cigarettes to minors, enabling regulatory officers to take immediate action. Currently, local governments have the power to issue fines up to £2,500, and the upcoming fines will likely increase this amount. Additionally, products like nicotine pouches used for vaping will be prohibited for minors.
The current increase in vaping among children is a concerning trend, as acknowledged by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. To prevent it from becoming widespread, action must be taken by parents and teachers.
The long-term effects of using vaping products are uncertain and the nicotine they contain can be extremely habit-forming. While vaping may aid in quitting smoking, promoting it to minors is not acceptable.
Recent data reveals that the amount of young individuals using electronic cigarettes has increased by three times over the course of the past three years.
“In addition to our promise to prevent any child who is 15 years old or younger from being legally able to purchase cigarettes, these revisions will have a lasting impact by safeguarding the health of our children in the future.”
The health secretary, Victoria Atkins, stated that smoking remains the top cause of preventable death in England. Every day, someone is hospitalized due to a smoking-related illness, and this results in a cost of £17 billion annually for society. This places a significant strain on the NHS.
The government recommends that only adults use vapes as a means to stop smoking, and they are responsible for an additional 50,000 to 70,000 successful smoking cessation cases in England each year.
Under the government’s program “swap to stop,” nearly 20% of adult smokers in England will receive a vape kit and behavioral assistance to aid them in quitting smoking.
The act of vaping leads to an additional 50,000 to 70,000 individuals successfully giving up smoking each year.
Professor Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, stated that if this legislation is enacted, it would have a significant impact on public health for generations to come.
The purpose of the ban is to benefit the environment by reducing the disposal of five million disposable vapes per week, a significant increase from last year’s 1.3 million. The legislation will be implemented under the Environmental Protection Act.
The Environment Secretary, Steve Barclay, stated that disposable vapes are not only being marketed towards children, which is unacceptable, but they also contribute to a significant and increasing amount of waste that is difficult to recycle. Approximately five million disposable vapes are discarded each week.
According to HMRC, the illegal sale of tobacco results in an annual loss of approximately £2.8 billion for the UK economy, which could otherwise be used to support public services.
On Monday, the HMRC and Border Force will release a fresh plan to combat illicit tobacco, titled “Stubbing Out the Problem”. This strategy outlines their efforts to decrease the illegal trade of tobacco and combat organized crime associated with it. This announcement coincides with recent data showing that the number of seized illegal vapes at the border has quadrupled in the past year, reaching a count of four million.
Dr Mike McKean, vice president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), welcomed the news, saying: “Bold action was always needed to curb youth vaping and banning disposables is a meaningful step in the right direction. I’m also extremely pleased to see further much-needed restrictions on flavours, packaging and marketing of vapes, which RCPCH has repeatedly called for.
The government needs to quickly introduce the legislation so that it can be thoroughly reviewed in this parliamentary session. We are eager to learn more about the specifics of these significant proposals, particularly in regards to how they will be put into action, enforced, and monitored.
Source: independent.co.uk
