UK bans single-use vapes

The British Government has decided to ban vapers single-use devices with the aim of eradicating addiction to these devices among British youth and protecting the health of minors.

The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, will formalize the veto in a visit to a school this Monday, the British Government said in a statement.

This decision is part of the new strategy of the Conservative Executive following the national consultation it launched last October on smoking and vaping.

According to official figures, the number of minors who use vapes has tripled in the last three years, and it is estimated that 9% of those between 11 and 15 years old consume it.

The use of single-use vapes has had a special impact, which has increased up to nine times in the age group between 11 and 17 years only in the last two years.

Flavors aimed at minors will also be restricted and producers will be made to make them less visually attractive, while separating their sale from other items designed for children.

The government will impose new fines on stores that illegally sell vapes to minors and ban other substitutes for minors such as nicotine patches.

Sunak wants the next generations to grow up without the possibility of smoking in their lives, so he will introduce legislation so that teenagers who turn 15 in 2024 will never be able to legally acquire tobacco.

Tobacco is estimated to cause around 80,000 deaths a year, causes one in four cancers in the UK and costs the public purse around £17 billion (€20 billion).

“As any parent or teacher knows, one of the most worrying trends of the moment is the rise of vaping among minors, so we must act before it becomes endemic.”Sunak said, according to the statement.

The prime minister said that almost a 70% Parents, teachers, health workers and citizens in general expressed their support for the measure in the consultation that was called.