This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66784967#2
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| How dangerous is vaping and will the new Parliament ban smoking for young people? | How dangerous is vaping and will the new Parliament ban smoking for young people? |
| (2 months later) | |
| The government's bid to introduce a ban on young people smoking and a new tax on vaping products failed to make it through Parliament before it was dissolved for the general election. | The government's bid to introduce a ban on young people smoking and a new tax on vaping products failed to make it through Parliament before it was dissolved for the general election. |
| Ministers had already announced plans for a ban on disposable vapes, to help cut the number of children vaping. | Ministers had already announced plans for a ban on disposable vapes, to help cut the number of children vaping. |
| Rishi Sunak said he remained "very committed" to the anti-smoking and vaping policy. Labour has also said it supports the proposals. | Rishi Sunak said he remained "very committed" to the anti-smoking and vaping policy. Labour has also said it supports the proposals. |
| 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 does not smoke should not start vaping. | But health experts agree that anyone who does not smoke should not start vaping. |
| 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 fully understand the health effects. | More research is needed to fully understand the health effects. |
| Another issue is that illegal vapes are widely available and are much more likely to contain harmful chemicals or drugs, such as cannabis. | Another issue is that illegal vapes are widely available and are much more likely to contain harmful chemicals or drugs, such as cannabis. |
| Never start vaping, says girl with lung damage | Never start vaping, says girl with lung damage |
| Never start vaping, says girl with lung damage | Never start vaping, says girl with lung damage |
| What is the new tax on vaping products? | What is the new tax on vaping products? |
| In the March 2024 budget, the government said it would introduce a new tax on vaping products in October 2026. | In the March 2024 budget, the government said it would introduce a new tax on vaping products in October 2026. |
| It launched a consultation about how the tax would work, external, which closed at the end of May. | It launched a consultation about how the tax would work, external, which closed at the end of May. |
| However, it is not clear whether the tax will take effect as planned. | However, it is not clear whether the tax will take effect as planned. |
| The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was not passed before Parliament was dissolved ahead of the general election on 4 July. | The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was not passed before Parliament was dissolved ahead of the general election on 4 July. |
| Which laws were passed in final days of Parliament? | Which laws were passed in final days of Parliament? |
| Which laws were passed in final days of Parliament? | Which laws were passed in final days of Parliament? |
| Labour - which backs the proposals - could reintroduce the bill if it wins the election. | Labour - which backs the proposals - could reintroduce the bill if it wins the election. |
| At the moment, vaping products are subject to value added tax (VAT) - but unlike tobacco, do not also attract a separate levy. | At the moment, vaping products are subject to value added tax (VAT) - but unlike tobacco, do not also attract a separate levy. |
| According to the proposals, the amount of duty would depend on how much nicotine is in the vaping liquid: | According to the proposals, the amount of duty would depend on how much nicotine is in the vaping liquid: |
| £1 per 10ml for nicotine-free liquids | £1 per 10ml for nicotine-free liquids |
| £1 per 10ml for nicotine-free liquids | £1 per 10ml for nicotine-free liquids |
| £2 per 10ml for liquids that contain 0.1-10.9mg | £2 per 10ml for liquids that contain 0.1-10.9mg |
| £2 per 10ml for liquids that contain 0.1-10.9mg | £2 per 10ml for liquids that contain 0.1-10.9mg |
| £3 per 10ml for liquids that contain 11mg or more (roughly more per ml than a cigarette) | £3 per 10ml for liquids that contain 11mg or more (roughly more per ml than a cigarette) |
| £3 per 10ml for liquids that contain 11mg or more (roughly more per ml than a cigarette) | £3 per 10ml for liquids that contain 11mg or more (roughly more per ml than a cigarette) |
| Duty on tobacco would have gone up by £2 per 100 cigarettes at the the same time to ensure that vaping remains cheaper. | Duty on tobacco would have gone up by £2 per 100 cigarettes at the the same time to ensure that vaping remains cheaper. |
| When will disposable vapes be banned? | When will disposable vapes be banned? |
| It is also not clear whether or when the ban on disposable vapes will take effect. | It is also not clear whether or when the ban on disposable vapes will take effect. |
| The government had said the ban would come into force on 1 April, 2025. Retailers would have had six months to make the changes. | The government had said the ban would come into force on 1 April, 2025. Retailers would have had six months to make the changes. |
| Vapes were also due to be made less attractive to young people by: | Vapes were also due to be made 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 |
| 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 |
| introducing plain packaging | introducing plain packaging |
| changing the way vapes are displayed in shops - moving them behind the counter | changing the way vapes are displayed in shops - moving them behind the counter |
| changing the way vapes are displayed in shops - moving them behind the counter | 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 wanted to increase fines for retailers which do so. | It is already illegal to sell vapes to under-18s, but the government wanted to increase fines for retailers which do so. |
| 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), external. That is 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), external. That is 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 seen 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 only be available 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. |
| New Zealand brought in new rules in 2023, banning most disposable vapes and targeted flavours which appeal to children. | New Zealand brought in new rules in 2023, banning most disposable vapes and targeted flavours which appeal to children. |
| Countries including South Korea, India and Brazil have brought in very strict vape rules, while China has 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 (WHO), external. | 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), external. |
| Is vaping better than smoking? | 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, external. | 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, external. |
| About half of all lifelong smokers will die early, losing on average about 10 years of life. | About half of all lifelong smokers will die early, losing on average about 10 years of life. |
| That is why people who smoke are urged to stop, with nicotine vapes the most effective quit tool - better than nicotine patches or gum., external | That is why people who smoke are urged to stop, with nicotine vapes the most effective quit tool - better than nicotine patches or gum., external |
| Recent research also suggests people having face-to-face support while using vapes can be up to twice as likely to stop smoking, external 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, external than those using other methods. |
| But vaping is not harmless, so it is only recommended for adult smokers. | But vaping is not harmless, so it is only recommended for adult smokers. |
| 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., external | More than two million smokers and ex-smokers who use disposable vapes would be affected by a ban, according to research by UCL., external |
| Thousands of people have given up smoking using vaping as an alternative. Fewer people in the UK are smoking than ever before - about 13%., external | Thousands of people have given up smoking using vaping as an alternative. Fewer people in the UK are smoking than ever before - about 13%., external |
| Why are disposable vapes bad for the environment? | 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. | 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. | 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. | An estimated five million disposable vapes are thrown away each week in the UK. |
| Related topics | |
| Vaping | Vaping |
| Health | Health |