The Need for a Ban
Reiterating its environmental, public health, and safety concerns, The Vape Shop renews its call for a comprehensive ban on disposable vapes by 2024. This plea aligns with those of local governing bodies in England and Wales, who have expressed alarm over the appeal of these products to minors.
The Environmental Impact
The Local Government Association (LGA) points out a disturbing statistic: 1.3 million disposable vapes become rubbish every week. The Vape Shop has consistently underscored the severity of this issue. The situation is exacerbated by a surging demand for these single-use devices, significantly driven by Chinese manufacturers like Elfbar and Lost Mary.
While the UK Vaping Industry Association advocates for these devices on the grounds of their potential for aiding smoking cessation and their recyclability, it’s crucial to address the glaring environmental downside. Disposable vapes are single-use products that end up in the waste stream once their supply of appealingly flavoured, nicotine-filled vapour is exhausted.
Fire Safety and Public Health Risks
Disposable vapes pose a significant risk beyond environmental concerns. These devices are easier to use than traditional vapes or e-cigarettes, which require refilling of pods or liquid. However, they contain small lithium batteries which can cause temperature spikes when crushed, leading to an increased risk of fires in waste collection vehicles, as warned by the LGA.
The Extent of the Problem
Research conducted by NielsenIQ suggests that the problem may be even larger than current estimates suggest, with roughly 300 million e-cigarettes (both disposable and non-disposable) sold in the UK last year alone. Brands like Elfbar and Lost Mary, produced by the Chinese company Shenzhen Imiracle Technology Co, account for more than half of these sales, marking a significant year-on-year increase.
A Shift in Approach
Councillor David Fothergill, Chair of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, has stated, “Disposable vapes are fundamentally flawed in their design and inherently unsustainable products, meaning an outright ban will prove more effective than attempts to recycle more vapes.”
The Vape Shop’s position is not an antagonistic one against vaping, obviously, but rather a proactive stance aimed at reducing its environmental footprint and preventing potential pathways to youth adoption. As a pioneer within the industry, we’ve been assertive in voicing our concerns about disposable vapes. Our decision to halt their sales in our store was driven by the significant environmental repercussions and the concerning tendency of these products to attract underage users.
