United Kingdom is set to prohibit disposable e-cigarettes
United Kingdom is set to introduce legislation aimed at prohibiting disposable e-cigarettes to address the growing trend of youth vaping, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday.
Sunak expressed concern about the escalating prevalence of vaping among children, stating, "I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes -– which have driven the rise in youth vaping –- and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavors, introduce plain packaging, and change how vapes are displayed in shops."
The decision follows recent statistics revealing a nearly ninefold increase in the proportion of vapers under the age of 18 using disposable e-cigarettes in the last two years.
The government led by Sunak intends to implement fines for stores in England and Wales found selling vapes illegally to children.
Health experts have expressed support for this initiative, with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty noting that the legislation is expected to have a "significant public health impact for many generations to come."
Last year, Sunak put forward proposals aimed at ultimately transforming the UK into a smoke-free nation.
His proposal entails making it an offense for individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, to purchase tobacco products—effectively incrementally raising the smoking age by one year annually until it encompasses the entire population, according to a statement from Sunak's Downing Street office.
Sunak presented the idea at the Conservative Party's annual conference in October, stating, "I propose that in the future, we raise the smoking age by one year every year. That means a 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette, and that they and their generation can grow up smoke-free."
Currently, the legal purchase age for tobacco products in England and Wales is 18.
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