Is this right? Britain will ban disposable vapes this June. Some think it is a valuable health measure. Others think it might have alarming side effects.
Disposable vapes banned from June
Is this right? Britain will ban disposable vapes this June. Some think it is a valuable health measure. Others think it might have alarming side effects.
You follow the man down a dark alleyway. He opens up his huge overcoat to reveal row-after-row of brightly-coloured plastic boxes. Suddenly, you hear the word "police". The man sprints off into the night.
From June, it will be illegal to sell disposable vapes in England. Similar bans are expected in Britain's other nations. Speaking yesterday, minister Mary Creagh said disposable vapes were "extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities".
This follows partial bans in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, although the last of these - on the brand Juul - was overturned in 2022.
Anti-vape campaigners have reason to be happy. Vapes - also known as e-cigarettes - contain nicotineThe substance found in tobacco that people become addicted to. It can also be made artificially. , the same highly addictive ingredient found in tobaccoA substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive. products such as cigarettes and cigars. And like smoking, vaping can lock people into an expensive and unhealthy habit.
Disposable vapes are a particular problem because they are cheap, brightly coloured and come in a range of sweet flavours, including apple and cola. The previous government, which introduced the ban, said they "have become highly appealing products for children".1
Vapes are often used by smokers trying to quit.2 They do not contain tarA cancer-causing substance formed when tobacco is burned. and carbon monoxideA poisonous chemical produced from the incomplete burning of natural gas or other products containing carbon., the most harmful ingredients in tobacco smoke. But nicotine itself is also toxic. It raises blood pressure, spikes adrenalineA hormone made by the body in response to a stressful or threatening situation. and increases the likelihood of a heart attack.
Vapes are a relatively new technology. They were first introduced to the UK in 2005. Scientists still do not know their full risks. Yet the research so far suggests many dangers. In 2020, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted 2,807 cases of lung injury associated with vape use, leading to 68 deaths.3
Vapes also have adverse environmental effects. They are hard to recycle. Last year, the government estimated that five million single-use vapes were thrown away. Their batteries can leak harmful materials, including mercury, lithiumA soft, silvery metal. and battery acid. In the UK, these and other batteries cause "about 700" fires a year.4
Yet not everyone supports a ban. For those trying to end their tobacco addiction, disposable vapes are a relatively affordable replacement. Ban them, and many unable to afford treatment might go on smoking and ultimately suffer even worse health effects.
Others claim a ban impingesSomething having a negative effect on something else. on our freedom to choose. The Spectator's Rory Sutherland writes: "Nicotine may have some deleterious and costly health effects, but so do winter sports, mountaineering, motorcycling and many other activities we leave to personal choice."
The ban could even have worrying side effects. According to the BBC: "Vaping industry leaders have warned it could fuel a rise in illegal sales of products." Vapes could become a black marketAn illegal traffic or trade in officially controlled or scarce commodities. commodity like Class AIn the UK, Class A drugs are considered the most dangerous. drugs, linked to organised crime and gang violence.
Humans have always been addicted to drugs, from native MesoamericansAncient inhabitants of Central America. chewing tobacco to Ancient Greeks drinking opiumAn addictive drug made from the juice of the opium poppy. . Vape users will just find something new - and potentially worse.
Is this right?
Yes: Vaping is bad for us. And vape firms try to get teenagers addicted. This is clearly immoral. We should aim to end this exploitative practice, even if some adult smokers find it harder to quit as a result.
No: In the 1920s, alcohol was prohibited in the United States. Some historians say this led to a huge rise in organised crime and eliminated numerous jobs. A vape ban could have unintended downsides.
Or... Disposable vapes are small fry. Nicotine addiction is the real issue. The previous government planned to ban smoking for all people born after a certain date. This should be revived promptly.
Nicotine - The substance found in tobacco that people become addicted to. It can also be made artificially.
Tobacco - A substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive.
Tar - A cancer-causing substance formed when tobacco is burned.
Carbon Monoxide - A poisonous chemical produced from the incomplete burning of natural gas or other products containing carbon.
Adrenaline - A hormone made by the body in response to a stressful or threatening situation.
Lithium - A soft, silvery metal.
Impinges - Something having a negative effect on something else.
Black Market - An illegal traffic or trade in officially controlled or scarce commodities.
Class A - In the UK, Class A drugs are considered the most dangerous.
Mesoamericans - Ancient inhabitants of Central America.
Opium - An addictive drug made from the juice of the opium poppy.
Disposable vapes banned from June

Glossary
Nicotine - The substance found in tobacco that people become addicted to. It can also be made artificially.
Tobacco - A substance smoked in cigarettes. It contains nicotine, which is addictive.
Tar - A cancer-causing substance formed when tobacco is burned.
Carbon Monoxide - A poisonous chemical produced from the incomplete burning of natural gas or other products containing carbon.
Adrenaline - A hormone made by the body in response to a stressful or threatening situation.
Lithium - A soft, silvery metal.
Impinges - Something having a negative effect on something else.
Black Market - An illegal traffic or trade in officially controlled or scarce commodities.
Class A - In the UK, Class A drugs are considered the most dangerous.
Mesoamericans - Ancient inhabitants of Central America.
Opium - An addictive drug made from the juice of the opium poppy.