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How dangerous is vaping and what is the disposable vape ban? How dangerous is vaping and what is the disposable vape ban?
(12 days later)
A UK-wide ban on disposable vapes has been announced, as part of plans to cut the number of children vaping. Disposable vapes will be banned across the UK, as part of plans to cut the number of children vaping.
Other measures including plainer packaging for vapes will also help target sales to children, the government says. Some vape flavours that appeal to young people will also be outlawed and products will have to be sold in plain packaging.
Is vaping dangerous?Is vaping dangerous?
Vaping is nowhere near as harmful as smoking cigarettes.Vaping is nowhere near as harmful as smoking cigarettes.
But health experts agree that anyone who doesn't smoke should not start vaping, particularly children.But health experts agree that anyone who doesn't smoke should not start vaping, particularly children.
Children's doctors say vaping may cause long-term damage to young people's lungs, hearts and brains.Children's doctors say vaping may cause long-term damage to young people's lungs, hearts and brains.
The vapour inhaled contains a small amount of chemicals, including the addictive substance nicotine.The vapour inhaled contains a small amount of chemicals, including the addictive substance nicotine.
More research is needed to pin down exactly what the health effects are. More research is needed to fully understand the health effects.
Another issue is that illegal vapes are widely available. These have been found to be much more likely to contain harmful chemicals or drugs, such as cannabis. Another issue is that illegal vapes are widely available.
Campaigners also say disposable vapes are wasteful and that the materials and chemicals used to make them, including their lithium batteries, make them difficult to dispose of safely. These are much more likely to contain harmful chemicals or drugs, such as cannabis.
They can be recycled but only 17% of vapers do so. Five million disposable vapes are thrown away each week in the UK. Disposable vapes to be banned for child health
Warning a child could die due to drugs in vapes
Never start vaping, says girl with lung damageNever start vaping, says girl with lung damage
Why are disposable vapes bad for the environment?
Campaigners say the materials and chemicals used to make vapes - including their lithium batteries - make them difficult to dispose of safely.
They can be recycled, but only 17% of vapers do so.
An estimated five million disposable vapes are thrown away each week in the UK.
When will disposable vapes be banned?When will disposable vapes be banned?
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told the BBC she was confident the new bill would pass Parliament by the time of the general election, which must be held by 28 January 2025.Health Secretary Victoria Atkins told the BBC she was confident the new bill would pass Parliament by the time of the general election, which must be held by 28 January 2025.
The ban would then come into force in early 2025.The ban would then come into force in early 2025.
Once the timing is confirmed, retailers will be given six months to make the changes.Once the timing is confirmed, retailers will be given six months to make the changes.
The government also plans to clampdown on the marketing of all other vapes to children by: The government also plans to make all vapes less attractive to young people by:
Reducing the use of flavours designed to appeal to children reducing the use of flavours designed to appeal to children
Introducing plain packaging introducing plain packaging
Moving where vapes are displayed in shops - from on the counter to behind it changing the way vapes are displayed in shops - moving them behind the counter
It is already illegal to sell vapes to under-18s, but the government also plans to increase fines for retailers which do so. It is already illegal to sell vapes to under-18s, but the government will increase fines for retailers which do so.
Disposable vapes to be banned for child health The government may also introduce a new vaping tax in the Budget.
Vaping products are subject to value added tax (VAT) - but unlike tobacco, do not currently also attract a separate levy.
How many children vape?How many children vape?
Nearly 8% of 11-17 year olds vape, according to figures from an online survey of 2,000 children by health charity ASH (Action on Smoking and Health). That's up from 4% in 2020.Nearly 8% of 11-17 year olds vape, according to figures from an online survey of 2,000 children by health charity ASH (Action on Smoking and Health). That's up from 4% in 2020.
It said 20% have tried vaping, with cheap, brightly-coloured disposable vapes driving up the increase from 14% three years ago.It said 20% have tried vaping, with cheap, brightly-coloured disposable vapes driving up the increase from 14% three years ago.
Older teenagers are more likely to have tried vaping or be current vapers.Older teenagers are more likely to have tried vaping or be current vapers.
Vaping is now twice as common as smoking among children.Vaping is now twice as common as smoking among children.
What are the vaping rules in other countries?What are the vaping rules in other countries?
Many countries have experienced a rise in vaping among children and young people. Many countries have seen a rise in vaping among children and young people.
In response, the US has banned some vape flavours like mint and fruit in particular e-cigarettes.In response, the US has banned some vape flavours like mint and fruit in particular e-cigarettes.
It also said it would ban products from Juul, one of the country's most popular vaping companies.It also said it would ban products from Juul, one of the country's most popular vaping companies.
Australia has announced e-cigarettes will be available only on prescription, for smokers who want to give up tobacco. Australia has announced e-cigarettes will only be available on prescription, for smokers who want to give up tobacco.
In New Zealand, new rules were brought in last year to ban most disposable vapes and target flavours which appeal to children. New Zealand brought in new rules in 2023, banning most disposable vapes and targeted flavours which appeal to children.
Many other countries, including South Korea, India and Brazil have announced very strict vape rules. Others, like China, have announced restrictions. Countries including South Korea, India and Brazil have brought in very strict vape rules, while China has announced restrictions.
However, 88 countries have no minimum age for buying vapes and 74 have no laws in place for e-cigarettes, according to the World Health Organization. However, 88 countries have no minimum age for buying vapes, and 74 have no laws in place for e-cigarettes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Why is vaping used to help smokers? Why is vaping better than smoking?
Cigarettes contain tobacco, tar and a host of cancer-causing toxic chemicals and are the largest preventable cause of illness and death in the UK.Cigarettes contain tobacco, tar and a host of cancer-causing toxic chemicals and are the largest preventable cause of illness and death in the UK.
About half of all life-long smokers will die early, losing on average about 10 years of life.About half of all life-long smokers will die early, losing on average about 10 years of life.
Smoking age should rise until it is banned - Sunak
That's why people who smoke are urged to stop, with nicotine vapes the most effective quit tool - better than nicotine patches or gum.That's why people who smoke are urged to stop, with nicotine vapes the most effective quit tool - better than nicotine patches or gum.
Recent research also suggests people having face-to-face support while using vapes can be up to twice as likely to stop smoking than those using other methods.Recent research also suggests people having face-to-face support while using vapes can be up to twice as likely to stop smoking than those using other methods.
But vaping is not completely harmless, so it's only recommended for adult smokers. But vaping is not harmless, so it's only recommended for adult smokers.
Smoking age should rise until it is banned - Sunak
They are offered free vape kits on the NHS to help them quit as part of its "swap to stop" programme.They are offered free vape kits on the NHS to help them quit as part of its "swap to stop" programme.
More than two million smokers and ex-smokers who use disposable vapes would be affected by a ban, according to research by UCL.More than two million smokers and ex-smokers who use disposable vapes would be affected by a ban, according to research by UCL.
Thousands of people have given up smoking using vaping as an alternative. Thousands of people have given up smoking using vaping as an alternative. Fewer people in the UK are smoking than ever before - around 13%.
Fewer people in the UK are smoking than ever before - around 13%.
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