Disposable Vapes ban announced
The UK government is set to ban disposable vapes as a part of comprehensive initiatives aimed at addressing the surge in youth vaping and safeguarding the health of children.
The U.K. government announced a plan on Monday to ban the sale of disposable vapes, in an attempt to curb the rise in vaping among children. The plan would also force companies to use plain packaging and place restrictions on flavors sold in an effort to make the products less appealing to children. It would also place restrictions on how vapes are advertised in shops.
“The long-term impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine within them can be highly addictive, so while vaping can be a useful tool to help smokers quit, marketing vapes to children is not acceptable,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement. He stressed that adult smokers aiming to quit would still be able to access vape kits.
What are disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes, also known as disposable e-cigarettes or disposable pods, are single-use electronic devices designed for vaping. They typically come pre-filled with e-liquid, a mixture of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and often nicotine. Unlike traditional vaping devices, disposable vapes are discarded after use and cannot be refilled or recharged. They are available in various nicotine concentrations and flavours, catering to different preferences and needs.
What are the health implications of this rise in vaping amonst young people?
The long-term health implications of vaping are still not fully understood, as vaping is a relatively recent phenomenon, and research is ongoing. However, some potential risks and health concerns have been identified based on available evidence. It's important to note that the long-term effects may vary depending on individual factors, the specific vaping products used, and the presence of other health conditions. Here are some potential long-term health implications associated with vaping:
- Respiratory health: Some studies suggest that vaping may have adverse effects on respiratory health. Inhaling the aerosol (vapour) produced by e-cigarettes may irritate the lungs and airways, leading to chronic bronchitis-like symptoms.
- Cardiovascular health: Vaping has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Nicotine, a common component in e-cigarettes, can contribute to elevated heart rate and blood pressure, potentially increasing the risk of heart-related issues.
- Lung damage: Cases of severe lung injury, known as e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI), have been reported. These cases often involve the use of e-cigarettes containing THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) or vitamin E acetate.
- Nicotine addiction: Vaping products often contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Prolonged use of nicotine can lead to dependence, and withdrawal symptoms may occur when attempting to quit.
- Gateway drug : Nicotine may be a gateway drug to other drug use in children and adolescents.
- Brain development in adolescents: The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of nicotine, and vaping during adolescence may impact brain development, cognitive function, and attention.
- Unknown chemical exposure: The long-term effects of inhaling the numerous chemicals present in e-cigarette aerosol are not fully understood. Some of these chemicals may be harmful, and their health impacts over extended periods are unclear.
Why is the UK government banning disposable vapes
This action is part of the government's response to the consultation on smoking and vaping initiated in October last year. Recent statistics indicate a threefold increase in the number of children using vapes over the past three years, with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds currently using these products. While the long-term health effects of vaping remain uncertain, the high addictiveness of nicotine found in vapes can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and headaches. While vaping can assist adult smokers in quitting, it is emphatically discouraged for children.
As we have discussed in previous posts, the rapid rise in vaping among teenagers in UK is very worrying, and disposable vapes have been a significant factor in the concerning surge in youth vaping, with the proportion of 11 to 17-year-old users of disposable vapes rising nearly ninefold in the past two years.
As part of the latest measures, new powers will be introduced to limit flavors specifically targeted at children and mandate plainer, less visually appealing packaging. These powers will also enable the UK government to change how vapes are displayed in shops, removing them from the sight of children and distancing them from products with child-friendly appeal, such as sweets. To combat underage sales, the UK government will also impose new fines on shops in England and Wales illegally selling vapes to children.
The UK government has reiterated its commitment to creating the first smoke-free generation and plans to introduce legislation in the UK preventing the legal sale of tobacco to those turning 15 this year or younger. Smoking, one of the the UK's leading preventable cause of death, results in approximately 1 in 4 cancer deaths and claims 80,000 lives annually. Preventing young people from starting to smoke aims to protect not only the current generation but also future ones from the harms associated with smoking.
Read more here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/disposable-vapes-banned-to-protect-childrens-health
Vapes testing kit
If you are a parent , school or college and you wish to test your children or adolescents to see if they are vaping or smoking, UK Drug Testing have put together a vape testing kit to enable you to find out.