Are Disposable Vapes Being Banned In The UK In 2024?

There have been reports that disposable vapes are soon going to be banned in the UK. You've probably noticed a lot of buzz in the news about the potential ban on disposable vapes UK. However, the final date has not yet been given, and the matter is still debated.

The Science and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has publicly denied the rumours. In an interview with Sky News, she further added.

We have been looking into this and have been doing a review because this is a very worrying trend that we see of young children taking up vaping who have never smoked before, and it is extremely dangerous to their health and their well-being, which is something that we do need to act on.

When asked particularly whether disposable vapes will be banned, she simply said:

“We’ll be making further announcements on this.”

The last few years have been hard on the vaping industry. It has seen significant ups and downs and is trying to retain its positive image. Ministers and various health analysts are considering banning disposable kits that use enticing colour packing and irresistible flavour combos and names to captivate the attention of minors.

Individuals below the age of 18 are fascinated by these alluring vape devices and buy them without considering their health effects.

According to the NHS, vapes are less harmful than cigarettes and help people quit smoking. Now, the question that arises here is, when vaping is less harmful than smoking, why is there a debate about disposable vapes being banned UK?

Reports indicate that disposable vaping devices will soon be banned in the UK. Different bodies have backed this proposal. The proposal is fueled majorly by two key factors:

• Concern about the growing underage vaping trend among adolescents.
• The increasing number of illicit vapes.

Youngsters' brains are underdeveloped when they are still growing up. Most vape devices contain nicotine e liquid. When a teenager inhales such vapours, their brain gets the nicotine dosage and starts to rely on it.

E-cigs or vapes are not recommended for adolescents. However, over the last few years, the trend of vaping has significantly increased among young ones. Underage vaping has prompted the government to take action against the sale and purchase of disposable vaping kits.

Vapes or e-cigarettes were created to give smokers a better nicotine alternative. There is no doubt that these battery-operated devices have helped thousands of smokers quit smoking. Despite being helpful in smoking cessation, vaping kits are labelled as harmful!

Vaping laws in the UK are tight and tougher than anywhere else. Every vape shop owner is obliged to provide people with legitimate vaping products. The vape products must have been registered by the MHRA before sale, and they must comply with TPD regulations.

With such tight regulations, it is nearly impossible for vape shops to sell unethical products. However, there are cases where counterfeit products and illicit vapes are sold to minors.

The illicit vapes often contain toxicant chemicals and higher nicotine levels that could damage the health of childrens. Did you know that more than 2 million illicit vapes between 2022 and 2023 were confiscated by the Trading Standards In England?

According to the Tobacco Products Directive:

• The e-liquid tank must be at most 2ml.
• The nicotine in e-juice should be confined to 20mg/ml.
• A separate nicotine e-liquid bottle should not be larger than 10ml.
• Vape products and their packaging should contain warning labels and signs.

Any vape product that does not adhere to these requirements will fall into the category of illicit vapes!

Ex-smokers have benefited a lot from e-cigarettes. A vast majority of smokers have completely stopped smoking after transitioning to vapes. If the ‘UK bans disposable vapes’ turns into reality, there are chances that smokers will not get another effective smoking alternative easily. There is also a probability that illegal tobacco products or harmful nicotine products could establish an illegal vape market.

According to Scott Buttler, Executive Director at Material Focus, an environmental charity:

“If the legitimate industry is banned, then there will be no mechanism to deal with all the operational challenges and costs of illegally sold vapes, which have the same challenges. It could lead to hard-to-control illegal sales and an established illegal vape market.”

The common question in Elf Bar fans' minds is, “Are Elf Bars banned in the UK?”. No, selling and purchasing an Elf Bar is not banned in the UK. There are better solutions than banning vaping for the long term. However, tightening the rules around vaping and scrutinising the vape industry could lead to more positive results.

Imposing heavy fines on the corner shops and vape shop owners who sell their products to underage children should be considered. The long-term strategy should be legislated and implemented so that teens do not get their hands on vape devices.

A disposable pen kit is a battery-operated device comprising an atomiser that heats up the e-juice to create vapours. An e-juice or e liquids is typically made of Propylene Glycol (PG), Vegetable Glycerine (VG), Flavours, and Nicotine (optional).

The vape tanks comes pre-filled in a disposable kit, and the battery is already charged in most cases. All you have to do is take out the device and inhale through the mouthpiece. They are not as bad as tobacco cigarettes. Unlike regular ciggies, disposable vaping devices do not burn tobacco and create carbon monoxide and tar, two of the most obnoxious chemicals found in cigarette smoke.

Nicotine comes in various strengths in the e-juice of disposable kits. You can choose the one that curbs your cravings, but make sure that it also complies with TPD regulations. You can also go with nicotine-free disposable vaping kits. The choice is yours!

Disposable e-cigarettes are the top-selling vape devices in the UK, with over 7.7 million sold weekly in 2023. Till now, no strong evidence clarifies that vapes will be banned in the UK in 2024. However, the government is taking serious steps to ensure that children do not involve themselves in vaping. A clear statement will come in the upcoming year in which the final decision regarding the disposable vapes banned UK will be made.

England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Said:

“Vaping can be useful for smokers to quit but should not be marketed to non-smokers, and marketing them to children is utterly unacceptable. “