How dangerous is vaping and what is the disposable vape ban?
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A UK-wide ban on disposable vapes has been announced, as part of plans to cut the number of children vaping.
Other measures including plainer packaging for vapes will also help target sales to children, the government says.
Is vaping dangerous?
Vaping is nowhere near as harmful as smoking cigarettes.
But health experts agree that anyone who doesn’t smoke should not start vaping, particularly children.
The vapour inhaled contains a small amount of chemicals, including the addictive substance nicotine.
More research is needed to pin down exactly what the health effects are.
Campaigners also say disposable vapes are wasteful and that the materials and chemicals used to make them, including their lithium batteries, make them difficult to dispose of safely.
When will disposable vapes be banned?
The ban would then come into force in early 2025.
Once the timing is confirmed, retailers will be given six months to make the changes.
The government also plans to clampdown on the marketing of all other vapes to children by:
- Reducing the use of flavours designed to appeal to children
- Introducing plain packaging
- Moving where vapes are displayed in shops – from on the counter to behind it
It is already illegal to sell vapes to under-18s, but the government also plans to increase fines for retailers which do so.
How many children vape?
It said 20% have tried vaping, with cheap, brightly-coloured disposable vapes driving up the increase from 14% three years ago.
Older teenagers are more likely to have tried vaping or be current vapers.
Vaping is now twice as common as smoking among children.
What are the vaping rules in other countries?
Many countries have experienced a rise in vaping among children and young people.
Many other countries, including South Korea, India and Brazil have announced very strict vape rules. Others, like China, have announced restrictions.
Why is vaping used to help smokers?
About half of all life-long smokers will die early, losing on average about 10 years of life.
But vaping is not completely harmless, so it’s only recommended for adult smokers.
They are offered free vape kits on the NHS to help them quit as part of its “swap to stop” programme.
Thousands of people have given up smoking using vaping as an alternative.
Fewer people in the UK are smoking than ever before – around 13%.
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