Welsh Calls for Ban on Disposable E-cigarettes

On September 13th, according to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the local government of Wales is calling for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes as part of a series of measures to address the issue of youth smoking.

It is worth noting that the local government in Wales does not have the authority to ban these e-cigarettes, but it is urging the UK government to take immediate action.

According to a recent report by Public Health Wales (PHW), which is based on a small sample of Welsh secondary schools, approximately 9-10% of 10th grade students use e-cigarettes every day.

This ban is also supported by the RSPCA Cymru, an animal welfare organization in Wales, which states that discarded e-cigarettes contain toxic substances such as plastic, lithium, and nicotine, posing a danger to animals.

A spokesperson for the local government in Wales stated that the minister representing Wales will meet with the UK government later this week to discuss this issue.

The UK government's Department of Health and Social Care has expressed concern over the rising number of teenagers smoking and the environmental impact of disposable e-cigarettes.

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) argues that banning disposable e-cigarettes "is not the solution" and instead calls for action to tackle retailers selling these products to individuals under the age of 18.

He expressed concerns that prohibiting these products could lead to the emergence of a black market and an increase in smoking rates, putting more people at risk.

He further added,"We have always acknowledged the need to address the issue of youth smoking and the environmental impact of e-cigarettes. However, this requires intensifying efforts to crack down on retailers selling these products to minors."