Today, Worcester MP Robin Walker has welcomed action from the Government taking the decision to ban vapes in order to protect children’s health, and to ensure these single use plastic vapes no longer continue to contribute to the problem of plastic pollution.
Robin outlined his support for the measure during an interview in his capacity as chairman of the Education Select Committee, stating that “while it is already illegal for under-18s to purchase these nicotine products, it remains that cheap disposable vapes represent a clear and present threat to the health of children. Additionally, on many of the school visits where I am talking to young people, they are sharing their concerns about the future of the environment, and that disposable vapes are a major contributor to this waste”
Figures from the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) charity suggest 7.6% of 11 to 17-year-olds now vape regularly or occasionally, up from 4.1% in 2020. ASH also highlighted the often childish nature of the packaging featuring bright colours and sweet flavours, which contributes to their appeal to the youth.
This comes after a ban last year on the sale of cigarettes to people born on or after 1 January 2009, starting the beginning of a smoke-free generation.
Robin stated “I am pleased that we are taking long term decisions to protect our children, our planet, and the wider health of our society. I was initially surprised the first time that this issue was raised with me on a school visit but it has come up time and time again because today’s young people are both health conscious and environmentally aware.“
“Children in local schools have often raised concerns with me about littering and plastic pollution and they are aware of how disposable vapes have contributed to both.”
“There is already a ban on smoking under the age of 18 but the emergence of vapes has created greater uncertainty about that and much of the marketing and branding of this market appears to be targeted at children. I think it is right that Government should act to protect children from becoming addicted to nicotine and to protect our environment from totally unnecessary plastic pollution. I will strongly support Health Secretary Victoria Atkins and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in getting this ban delivered.”
You can read the Government announcement in full via this link.