Latest news with #NorthernIreland
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Disposable vapes ban to come into force in bid to improve health and cut litter
Disposable vapes are banned from the shelves of all shops from Sunday in a bid to cut their use among young people as well as the 'avalanche' of litter they create. The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. It follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. Disposable vapes are non-refillable and unable to be recharged, and are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled. Even when they are recycled, they need to be taken apart by hand, while their batteries are a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending. Figures from the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) suggests the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025, while the use of disposables by 18 to 24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said usage among young vapers remained too high, and the ban would 'put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation's streets'. Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: 'For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today. 'The Government calls time on these nasty devices.' Ash deputy chief executive Caroline Cerny said: 'It's promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban. This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing. 'This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking. It will be up to manufacturers and retailers to ensure customers are informed and able to reuse and recycle their products securing a real change in consumer behaviour and a reduction in environmental waste. 'If behaviour does not change then further regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.' Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: 'We have been working with retailers, the Government and Trading Standards for months on providing detailed guidance that sets out how to spot non-compliant vapes after the ban comes into force, as well as advising retailers on what they need to do with any stock of disposables left over on June 1. 'We strongly support robust enforcement activity, starting with the businesses that are already openly flouting the rules by selling illicit product and who will continue to sell disposable vapes once they're outlawed. 'It is essential that Trading Standards teams are given the resources they need to get illegal vapes and other products off the streets, as these rogue businesses undermine the work of responsible retailers across the country.' The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said its members had moved quickly to bring new fully compliant products to market well ahead of the June 1 deadline, but warned of 'serious unintended consequences' of bans as a regulatory measure. UKVIA director general John Dunne said: 'Vaping was invented to help adult smokers quit and disposable products became the most successful vape products to do so because they are simple to use and most closely replicate the sensation of smoking. 'We are concerned that this ban will encourage former smokers who have already transitioned from cigarettes – which kill 220 people every day in the UK – to return to combustible tobacco or opt for unregulated vapes. 'We also have clear evidence, from countries including the USA and Australia, showing that black market, counterfeit and illicit vape sales spiked when vape bans and restrictions are introduced.' The separate Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently working its way through Parliament, also includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes.
Belfast Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland must learn from unacceptable mistakes in Poland loss, admits Tanya Oxtoby
A nightmare start, in which Poland scored twice inside the opening nine minutes, saw hopes of victory quickly evaporate and those two goals were a horror for Northern Ireland. First, Martyna Wiankowska was afforded the freedom of Seaview when she had acres of space on the left wing to deliver a cross into the box for Ewa Pajor to score the opening goal after four minutes. Pajor then took the ball of a the toe of a hesitant Jackie Burns just outside the box before doubling the lead five minutes later. It is the response from her players in such circumstances and how they reacted over the course of the 80 minutes that followed that is Oxtoby's real focus going into a crucial trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina, with second place in the Nations League group on the line now that top spot has been secured by Poland. It was a tough night for teenage debutant Abi Sweetlove to come into the defence, while she was later joined on the pitch by Glentoran's Aimee Kerr – which Oxtoby highlighted as positives to take from the game. 'We spoke about starting well and staying in the game and we didn't do that,' said Oxtoby. 'I don't think you can play a team like this and make mistakes. They will punish you. They did that tonight and they did it when we played them away as well. 'It's a lesson to be learned, but that's why they're going to Euros. They're a top side with top players and if you make errors, whether that be collectively or individually, they're going to punish you for that. 'That's the level we want to be at. So we have to take that on the chin and we have to learn from it, and we have to keep moving forward.' Poland's three major threats, Paulina Tomasiak, Pajor and Adriana Achcinska, combined for the third and fourth goals – the former smashing home after 28 minutes before the latter slotted the fourth a minute into the second half to wreck Oxtoby's half-time reorganisation. There was a distinct difference from the first two goals, which were heart-breaking for Northern Ireland compared to the sheer quality that Poland displayed for the latter two. 'There were mistakes all over the pitch and I think it's the reaction to that that we're looking for,' said Oxtoby. 'Do you have the resilience to turn that around and really then impact the game in a positive way? Credit to the girls I thought they did that, each and every one of them. 'The changes we made at half-time had an impact, the subs we made during the second half had an impact and the girls will learn from that. 'We've had two debuts tonight and you look at what Poland put out, you look at what we're put out and, you know, we're on a journey and I'll take those mistakes while we're continuing to learn.' After going three games unbeaten since a 2-0 defeat in Poland, results which had given hope to pipping the Poles for top spot in the group, Oxtoby wasn't completely downbeat. 'There are group errors, there are individual errors across the whole campaign and it's just about learning from those and making sure that we continue to develop the players,' said Oxtoby. 'One result doesn't define our campaign, we've been brilliant across this campaign and we're still in a great position and that has got to be the focus for us. 'We've said that in the group there. We've got to learn from tonight, the bits that we need to take and be better at, no doubt, short term and long term. But our focus has got to be on Tuesday and making sure that we get that right.' The focus is now very much on Tuesday and, with Bosnia being very much a different level of opposition, Northern Ireland's approach will be very different in Zenica. 'You probably have to be flawless against a team like (Poland), and in the second half what pleased me was the opportunities we had going the other way,' said Oxtoby. 'We could have easily gone into our shell and not really expressed ourselves and we still did that. We take the positives and we've got to take those into Tuesday because it's a massive game for us.'
BBC News
6 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
We caused problems for ourselves
Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby admits her side "caused problems for ourselves" in Friday's 4-0 defeat by Poland in the Nations striker Ewa Pajor scored twice in the opening 10 minutes as Poland secured an immediate return to League A. Pajor then provided assists for Paulina Tomasiak and Adriana Achcinska, which means Northern Ireland will now face off with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday for the promotion play-off spot. "The plan wasn't executed as we would have liked," said Australian Oxtoby of Northern Ireland's poor start. "The spaces were there we wanted to exploit but we were sloppy with the ball. "We caused problems for ourselves, we addressed that at half-time and changed our shape to try and help in that area."Oxtoby added that "it's not one single thing" behind the performance and result, but the "players know we can be better".Despite the defeat, Northern Ireland's hopes of winning promotion to League A for the first time are still in their hands. Second place secures a play-off spot against a League A side, and Northern Ireland are currently three points ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Teams on level points are split by their head-to-head ranking, so even if NI fall to defeat in Zenica they could still hold onto second ahead of the Bosnians thanks to February's dramatic 3-2 win in Larne. "We were disappointed with the first half, that goes without saying," added Oxtoby."We tweaked some things at half time and the second-half performance was better. "We managed to get Abi (Sweetlove) and Aimee (Kerr) on the pitch for their senior debuts, so there's some real positives but we've now got to focus on the Bosnia game. "It's a crucial one for us. The players know that we can be better and I've got full belief that we'll go on Tuesday and put in a really good performance."
BBC News
7 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Newtownards: Suspicious object found during security alert
A suspicious object has been taken for forensic examination after a security alert in Newtownards, County object, which is believed to be viable, was found during a search of residential premises in the Mill Street area shortly after 13:45 BST on Friday. A man in his 40s was arrested during the search Street has now reopened and residents who were evacuated from an apartment block are able to return to their homes.
Belfast Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Bill Clinton writes to ‘amazing' NI boy awaiting heart transplant: ‘Our world would be better if there were more people like you'
Dáithí Mac Gabhann has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018 and his family have tirelessly campaigned for the legislation on organ donation to be changed to help increase the number of donors. The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, is known as named in 'Dáithí's Law' in recognition of the young boy. He was granted the Freedom of the City of Belfast in 2023 and celebrated at Belfast City Hall – becoming the youngest ever recipient of this honour. Over the years he has received support from celebrities, including Newcastle United FC legend Alan Shearer, Man United star Marcus Rashford and TV presenter Vernon Kay who hosted the ceremony for the Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards where Dáithí was honoured. A post on Donate4Dáithí on X (formerly known as Twitter) said 'it's not every day a letter comes through door in Ballymurphy from a former US President'. A letter from the ex-President who is credited for his role in the NI peace process came on paper headed, 'William Jefferson Clinton'. It states: 'Your dad wrote to tell me about your recent visit to City Hall, to see your name listed among the freemen of Belfast. 'I'm so proud to share that honour with someone as amazing as you. As someone who's had heart surgery myself, I know how scary it can be, and I'm so impressed by the bravery you've shown throughout your life. 'I'm also deeply inspired by the way you and your family have worked hard to make positive change across Northern Ireland. 'Our world would be better if there were more people like you. I hope I'll have the chance to meet you and your family the next time I'm in Belfast. 'Until then, keep up your great work, and know that you have a big fan pulling for you in New York.' Lots of people commented on the post, with one person saying: 'Amazing Dáithí, such a lovely letter. I hope you get to meet Bill Clinton.' Others described Dáithí as a 'special' and 'amazing wee boy' saying it was 'lovely to see'.
