Vape Ban Curbs Children's Addiction Risk, Experts Say

The impending prohibition on disposable vapes aims to assist in "stopping a new wave of youth becoming addicted to nicotine," according to Wales’ chief public health organization.

Public Health Wales (PHW) emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from past experiences with tobacco and working diligently to stop children and young people from using and starting to vape.

Starting June 1st, single-use disposable vape devices will be prohibited throughout the UK in an effort to safeguard children’s well-being and reduce ecological harm.

The UK Vaping Industry Association was reached out to for comments; however, they have previously stated that implementing a ban would likely lead to an uptick in illicit sales.

PHW stated that disposable vapes were "inexpensive, user-friendly, and easily accessible," and they particularly attracted children.

The statement also noted that many of these products contain nicotine, which can impact focus, memory, and learning abilities when used frequently.

Mary-Ann McKibben, a public health consultant with PHW, stated: "Although vaping poses less danger than smoking for adults, it still carries risks and our knowledge about its potential long-term health impacts remains incomplete."

She referred to the ban as a crucial move toward stopping a new generation from becoming hooked on nicotine.

The data from Wales indicates that 7% of individuals between the ages of 11 and 16 vape weekly, an increase from 5.4% in 2021. Among those who are 15 and 16 years old, this figure rises to 15.9%, compared with 13.6% previously.

According to Keep Wales Tidy, approximately 360,000 disposable vape devices are littered annually, with an additional 120,000 being discarded into toilets.

The attendees at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Neath Port Talbot generally approved of the prohibition.

Anna Sitori, an 18-year-old from Swansea, stated that vaping is a significant problem which she frequently observes both at her school and during gatherings. She believes that implementing these measures will substantially aid in combating it.

Steffan Thomas, a 19-year-old from Swansea, thinks that many of his vaping-using friends would cease their habit because of the new ban. However, he also suspects that some might turn to smoking traditional cigarettes instead.

In Swansea, Kyle Evans, who hails from Aberdare located in Rhonda Cynon Taf, referred to the prohibition as "absurd," since it served as a useful method for people to stop smoking.

He stated, "Individuals should store them correctly, discard them appropriately, and there shouldn’t be a restriction imposed."

Crimestoppers announced they were intensifying their initiatives to tackle the illicit sale of vapes following the ban, stating that "dishonest sellers will keep peddling these items unlawfully."

"These items present significant health hazards – they lack regulation, have not been tested, and might include excessively high amounts of nicotine along with dangerous elements like lead and nickel," the statement read.

Speaking to https://Positivibemind.comRadio 4's Today When the prohibition was declared, John Dunne, the director general of UKVIA, stated that regulatory bodies were already finding it challenging to combat the illegal market, let alone with an additional restriction in place.

He stated that the organization preferred the UK government to implement a licensing system for sellers and distributors instead.

• Ban on disposable vapes set to begin in Wales in 2025
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