Disposable vapes ban in England - our response | Healthwatch Northyorkshire

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Disposable vapes ban in England - our response

Response - 24 October 2024

A ban on sale and supply of single-use vapes in England to come into force on 1 June 2025
A young person sat on some grass, next to her laptop, using a disposable vape.
The news comes amid the release of new figures showing that vape usage in England grew by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023, with 9.1% of the British public now buying and using these products. The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown, and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive, with withdrawal sometimes causing anxiety, trouble concentrating and headaches.
 
Figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show that last year, an estimated five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in the UK, almost four times as much as the previous year and the equivalent of eight being thrown away per second. In 2022, more than 40 tonnes of lithium from single-use vapes was discarded, which is the same amount used to power 5,000 electric vehicles.
 
Subject to parliamentary approval, businesses will have until 1 June 2025 to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare the ban from coming into force.

Our response

"We welcome the news of a ban on disposable vapes in England, set to come into effect in June 2025. This is a positive step forward in addressing the growing concern over vaping. Local findings, including the recent North Yorkshire Council health and well-being survey, highlight the urgent need for action. With over a third of 13 to 15-year-olds in the region having tried vaping, and 9% using them regularly, the rise in vaping, particularly among children, is alarming.

"The survey also revealed that 5% of 10 and 11-year-olds have already experimented with vapes. This trend is concerning, especially given the potential for long-term addiction and lung damage that vaping poses. The ease with which young people can access these products and the appeal of marketing aimed at them are clear contributing factors.

"While the ban on disposable vapes is a crucial move, more needs to be done. Raising awareness among children and parents about the risks of vaping is essential, particularly in primary schools. For those already using vapes, support to quit must be readily available.

"At Healthwatch North Yorkshire, we will continue to listen to the concerns of local communities and ensure that the voices of young people and families are heard as these measures are implemented. Tackling this issue requires a combined effort to protect the health of our next generation."

Ashley Green, Chief Executive, Healthwatch North Yorkshire

Read more about the ban

Government crackdown on single use vapes

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