Ireland’s Swift Action on Disposable Vapes: Why the UK Needs to Follow Suit

A Comparison of Ireland’s Ban and the UK's Delayed Response

As vaping continues to rise in popularity, so too do the concerns surrounding the environmental and public health implications of disposable vapes. In a decisive move, the Irish government approved a ban on disposable vapes in September 2024. Meanwhile, despite announcing similar intentions earlier this year, the UK has yet to implement such a ban. The blog explores Ireland’s proactive approach, compares it to the UK’s delayed actions, and examines why urgent action is required.

Ireland’s Comprehensive Ban on Disposable Vapes
In September 2024, Ireland’s cabinet approved a wide-reaching ban on selling, manufacturing, and importing disposable vapes, marking a significant step towards addressing environmental and health concerns. The proposed laws, spearheaded by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, also include restrictions on flavours, packaging, and marketing, aiming to reduce the appeal of these products to younger users.

Key elements of Ireland’s disposable vape ban include:
·Complete ban on disposable vapes: The sale, production, and import of single-use vapes will be prohibited.

·Flavour restrictions: The ban will affect an estimated 15,000 vape flavour combinations, particularly those appealing to younger audiences.

·Marketing and packaging rules: Shops that are not specialised in selling vaping products will be barred from advertising or displaying them. In addition, packaging will be restricted to prevent targeting younger demographics with colourful and appealing designs.

The driving force behind this ban is both environmental and public health-related. Research from the Irish government shows that younger individuals disproportionately use these products. A recent study revealed that approximately 13% of 12 to 17-year-olds in Ireland had used a vape in the last 30 days. 

Disposable vapes are considered hazardous to the environment because they are often improperly disposed of. Their plastic components and lithium-ion batteries are rarely recycled, leading to toxic waste entering landfills.

The UK’s Delayed Response
While Ireland has moved swiftly to address these concerns, the UK government has lagged behind. In January 2024, the UK announced its intention to ban disposable vapes, and both Scotland and Wales have expressed support for similar legislation. However, no laws have yet been passed, and the UK finds itself trailing behind other countries, such as:

·Ireland and Belgium has already banned them, and Germany, France and more EU countries are considering banning disposable vapes.

·China (Which is ironic as they are the main producer of single disposable flavoured vapes) have banned flavoured disposable vapes.

Political hurdles—such as the recent general election—have caused delays despite the UK government’s announcement. Environmentalists and health advocates alike have criticised the UK for stalling on the issue, citing the harmful environmental impact of discarded vapes and the worrying rise in youth vaping.

Why This Ban Needs to Happen Now
1. Environmental Impact: Disposable vapes are a growing source of environmental pollution. Each vape contains plastic and hazardous materials, like lithium batteries, which can leach toxic chemicals into the soil and water if not disposed of properly. The UK’s delay in banning these products allows this waste problem to worsen.

2. Youth Vaping Epidemic: Statistics from Public Health England show a sharp rise in youth vaping. In 2023, 11.6% of 11 to 17-year-olds in the UK reported using e-cigarettes, an increase from 8.6% in 2022. Ireland’s ban is specifically aimed at curbing this trend by limiting access to the products that most appeal to younger people.

3. Public Health Concerns: Disposable vapes sold in Ireland and the UK typically contain high nicotine levels, with many reaching the maximum legal concentration of 20mg/ml. For inexperienced or younger users, this can lead to a quicker nicotine addiction, making it harder for users to quit.

4. Global Pressure: With countries across the globe enacting similar bans, the UK risks falling behind in global efforts to curb vaping’s negative impacts. Nations like Australia and New Zealand have already introduced stricter regulations, and with Ireland taking the lead in Europe, the pressure on the UK to act is intensifying.

Time for the UK to Take Action
Ireland’s leadership in banning disposable vapes demonstrates that rapid and decisive action can be taken to protect both public health and the environment. With the UK already signalling its intent to ban these harmful products, now is the time to turn intent into action. Delay will only exacerbate the environmental and health issues already at play, and with youth vaping on the rise, there’s little time to waste. 

To ensure the protection of future generations and the planet, the UK must follow Ireland’s example and implement a comprehensive ban on disposable vapes before the problem spirals out of control.