Labour has pledged to continue the previous Conservative government’s proposals to prevent e-cigarette and vape marketing targeted at children in a bid to create a smoke-free generation. Although the number of smokers in the UK has fallen, the number of adults and young people vaping has gone up. While vaping is not as harmful as smoking, health experts warn youths not to start as it can lead to long-term lung, heart, and brain damage. Nicotine is an addictive substance found in e-cigarette vapours which can have adverse effects on young people’s health.
The vape and e-cigarette industry is growing increasingly larger, with more than five million Britons using these alternatives to tobacco in 2023. There have been calls to regulate the industry as well as place taxes on vapes to discourage usage. While vaping can help adults quit smoking, it is only recommended for this purpose rather than recreational use. Thousands of people have already given up smoking due to its alternative effect. However, concerning issues surrounding vaping’s impact on health have led organisations such as the World Health Organisation to call for more research.
Disposable vapes are growing in popularity, causing environmental concerns due to an inability to dispose of their lithium batteries safely. Furthermore, just 17% of vapers recycle their vape pens leading to an estimated five million being discarded each week.
Other countries have taken up various measures to regulate vaping, with Australia only allowing e-cigarettes on prescription for people aiming to quit smoking. Other countries like South Korea, India, and Brazil have established significant restrictions on vaping and its related products.
Labour aims to introduce its own Tobacco and Vapes Bill to create a smoke-free generation. It plans to regulate the presentation and flavours of vapes and nicotine products to make them less attractive to minors and give magistrates more power to reduce underaged sales of tobacco and vapes
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