Warning as sale of disposable vapes comes into effect TODAY in Northern Ireland – as alert issued to drivers who vape
A BAN on the sale and supply of disposable vapes kicks off in Northern Ireland today.
Only reusable vapes will be sold from June 1 with the government crackdown aimed at preventing youths from picking up the habit and protecting the environment.
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Disposable vapes can no longer supplied or sold in Northern Ireland
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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An alert has also been issued to drivers who vape
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish
TD Colm Burke welcomed the approval from the Government to draft legislation on the ban last year.
He said: 'Our young people are exposed to nicotine inhaling products in retail environments with bright and colourful packaging and a variety of flavours.
'Single-use
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'I believe that these measures will contribute to the better health and wellbeing of our youth, and I look forward to working with Minister Donnelly on the development of this legislation.'
Minister Ossian Smyth added: 'Single-use vapes are a challenge in the context of waste management and are a wasteful use of critical raw materials.
'They are also very damaging to the environment when discarded as litter.'
Some 46 per cent of 17-18 year-olds (year 14
Most read in The Irish Sun
Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, Colette Rogers, said: 'The accessibility and low price of single use vapes have played a part in increasing their availability and shareability among young people, so the ban on these types of devices is an opportunity to address the concerning levels of vaping among teenagers.
'The new law means that products will only be compliant if they are refillable and rechargeable.
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'We welcome this and hope it reduces the number of vapes in active use, and are asking parents and carers to use it as an opportunity to discourage
The Irish Heart Foundation has called on the government to ban the 'import, manufacture, and sale of single-use or disposable vapes'.
The charity wants to see a ban introduced on all vape flavours, except tobacco flavour.
They are calling for a complete ban on all forms of vape advertisements, including Point-of-Sale (POS) and online.
The group are asking the government to introduce plain packaging for vapes and stop the online sale of vapes.
They are also calling to increase the legal age of sale of all forms of e-cigarettes to 21.
Car insurance expert and Managing Director of CompareNI, Ian Wilson, warned drivers of the dangers of using refillable vapes behind the wheel as the ban kicks in.
He said: 'For anyone who plans on switching over to reusable vapes after the ban comes into force, you should be aware that using these devices while driving could see you end up on the wrong side of the law.
'Reusable vapes are more powerful than single use vapes and produce a much larger and denser cloud of vaper. These thicker clouds can fog up the windscreen and block your vision, posing a danger to yourself and other road users.
'Also, these devices tend to be larger and heavier than disposable vapes, so handling them, adjusting the controls or refilling the liquid when behind the wheel can divert your attention away from the road and may lead to serious consequences.
'If you are involved in an accident and the police deem that vaping was a contributing factor, you could be charged with careless driving and face a fine of up to £5,000 (€5,930) and nine penalty points – or even a discretionary driving ban.'
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Disposable vapes have now been banned from the shelves of all shops in NI
Credit: Jacob King/PA Wire
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