Latest news with #disposablevapes
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Warning as disposable vapes found to contain toxic METALS linked to cancer
DISPOSABLE vapes could increase a person's risk of cancer, respiratory disease, and never damage, scientists have warned. While a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes came into effect in the UK at the beginning of this month, researchers have revealed the hidden health risk for those continuing to use them. 1 In a new report published in ACS Central Science, it was found after a few hundred puffs, some disposable vaping devices release higher levels of toxic metals than refillable e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. According to Brett Poulin, the corresponding author of the study from the University of California, Davis, hazardous levels of neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel were found. Studies on early generations of refillable e-cigarettes found their heating components could release metals such as chromium and nickel ions into the internal liquid that becomes the vapour people breathe. In the past few years, disposable e-cigarettes have proven more popular than older refillable vapes - but little is known about the elemental composition of vapours from the newer devices. So Poulin and colleagues set out to assess popular disposable e-cigarette brands to evaluate the potential health risks they could pose to a user. Among their findings, one of the disposable e-cigarettes studied released more lead during a day's use than nearly 20 packs of traditional cigarettes. The researchers tested only three of the nearly 100 disposable e-cigarette brands available on store shelves. But they said the results are concerning because of their popularity, especially among adolescents and young adults. Disposable vapes have been found to pose several dangers. They often contain high levels of nicotine, which is highly addictive and can lead to dependence, making it difficult to quit, especially for young people whose brains are still developing, say experts. Disposable vapes will be banned across UK by next summer to stop Britain's kids from getting hooked Vaping in general can also cause coughing, shortness of breath, and irritation of the throat and nose. It can also exacerbate existing respiratory conditions like asthma and potentially lead to lung scarring or EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury). And long-term vaping may impair blood vessel function, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Disposable vapes were banned in the UK primarily due to environmental concerns and the increasing popularity of vaping among children. Disposable vapes are often discarded as litter, contributing to pollution and harming wildlife. Their batteries can also pose fire risks in recycling facilities and leak harmful chemicals. Also, disposable vapes are seen as particularly appealing to children due to their flavours and attractive packaging, leading to a rise in youth vaping rates. The ban is specifically targeted at single-use vapes, while reusable vapes are still allowed, as they are seen as having a lower environmental impact and are used by adults to quit smoking. What's banned The ban specifically targets single-use, disposable vapes. This includes those with non-rechargeable or non-refillable batteries. Why the ban? The government cites two main reasons: reducing the environmental impact of disposable vapes (a major source of litter) and curbing the increasing number of young people becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping. Who is affected? The ban primarily affects retailers, who can no longer sell or supply disposable vapes. It also impacts manufacturers, wholesalers, and importers. What about consumers? While consumers can no longer purchase disposable vapes from retailers, they are not prohibited from using them. Alternatives Consumers can still access refillable and rechargeable vapes, which are not affected by the ban. Enforcement and penalties In England, retailers violating the ban may face a £200 fine for the first offence. Further infractions could result in unlimited fines or even prosecution.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
More than 2,000 disposable vapes seized in Kent after ban
More than 2,000 disposable vapes have been seized from five shops in Kent since the items were banned at the start of the month, Trading Standards from the agency in Kent visited more than 80 shops after the ban on 1 June which made it illegal for businesses to sell or supply disposable vapes, whether or not they contain Whiddett, Trading Standards operations manager, said initial visits had been a "mixed bag" with some following the ban and others needing more said follow-up inspections would be carried out to ensure shops continued to adhere to the ban and were arranging for any remaining stock to be recycled. Spot checks took place at a variety of retailers in all districts, with patrols in Thanet, Ashford and Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week. The agency said there were five separate seizures of illegal vapes, totalling 2,163 products. Toxic compounds Mr Whiddett said: "There was a small minority that decided to flout the ban."On day one of our operation, illegal products were seized and the shops were issued compliance notices and can expect a follow up in line with the requirements under the legislation."Under the new rules, vapes being sold must be reusable and have rechargeable batteries, replaceable coils and wadding, and be caught breaking the law in England face a minimum £200 fine, with a prison sentence of up to two years for repeat offences. Penalties are broadly similar in Scotland, Wales and Northern ban was introduced to tackle the environmental impact of disposable vapes, which included lithium-ion batteries which can leak toxic compounds if not disposed of also comes after a previous crackdown on illegal vapes which contained significantly higher levels of nicotine and other chemicals than was than six million illegal vaping products were seized by Trading Standards officers across England between 2022 and 2024, according to analysis by the BBC.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Moment vape shop boss in Wes Streeting's constituency ridicules disposables ban during undercover probe
A crackdown on disposable vapes has been branded a 'total farce' as shops in the Health Secretary's own constituency were found still selling the throwaway devices. Investigators were able to buy a pile of contraband in under 20 minutes in Wes Streeting 's Ilford North stronghold, with hundreds of products marked 'disposable' openly displayed and advertised in shop windows. Seven businesses in one street casually advertised and sold the illicit vapes, despite a ban introduced on June 1. Few acknowledged there was any change in the law, with just two out of 20 retailers tested across London turning investigators away. Shopkeepers face a £200 fine if caught selling the one-use devices which have been blamed for a rise in youth vaping and piles of discarded devices on the streets. But there was seemed little sign of Trading Standards teams being allocated to enforcing the ban, nor that products had been hidden or removed from shelves, campaigners carrying out their own new survey say. Under the new law, the only permitted devices are those considered reusable - with a rechargeable battery and replaceable coil. But one retailer told investigators from campaign group We Vape to simply bin reusable devices when done - potentially making a mockery of suggestions the ban could help improve the environment. Shopkeepers face a £200 fine if caught selling the one-use devices which have been blamed for a rise in youth vaping and piles of discarded devices on the streets When asked on camera how to use a rechargeable Big Puff vape - which can contain upwards of 6,000 puffs per device rather than 600 - the shopkeeper replied: 'You can use it, then you can throw it away. 'If you want to reuse it, you can. If not, you can throw it out.' There have also been reports across London of compliant retailers turning investigators away, all the while neighbouring stores were going on selling disposables for as little as £5. Some retailers have appeared prepared to break the law without consequences and gain a competitive advantage, while those obeying risked slumps in footfall and profit. The disposables ban will be followed by the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently working its way through Parliament. This proposes further restrictions on flavours, an advertising ban and a vape licensing scheme for retailers, similar to the system used for selling alcohol. Critics say failures to enforce the disposables law could now further embolden rogue traders and make new elements of the bill more difficult to enforce. Mark Oates, founder of pro-vaping campaign group We Vape, said: 'The disposable ban has been in place for little over a week and it is already a total farce. 'Our investigation shows there are many retailers who do not care about the law because they know the chances of getting caught are almost nil. 'This defiance is the seed of a new black market we will see emerge, which we have warned the government about for a year, so it is only going to get worse. 'The ban will do nothing to stop kids vaping, as they can only be sold to over 18s already, so the Health Secretary needs to tackle rogue traders by starting the vape licensing scheme as soon as possible. 'This will drive funds into Trading Standards and other enforcement agencies, forcing bad actors out of the market. A deposit return scheme would also solve littering concerns. 'If lawmakers cannot get the disposables ban right, how on earth are they going to enforce all of the new regulation brought in under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill? 'The disposables ban was the first big test of government readiness for these regulations and it has been a colossal failure.' Conservative MP Jack Rankin said: 'I share the serious concerns raised by authorities across the UK about the practical challenges of enforcing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. 'Without proper resources and clarity in implementation, it is becoming increasingly clear this is just bad legislation.' A recent study by former government advisor Richard Sloggett showed up to 200,000 vapers could return to smoking following the disposables ban. Future Health Research Centre said the move risks undermining progress towards a 'smoke-free' Britain if vapers are not supported to maintain their 'quit journey'. Modelling scenarios based on its findings indicate the disposable vapes ban will see between 175,000 and 378,000 people stopping vaping, and between 630,000 and 1.36million people switching to another vaping product. But the smoking rate could increase by between 90,000 and 200,000, adding 0.2 per cent to 0.4 per cent to the overall population smoking rate. Mr Sloggett said: 'The Government has committed welcome and strong action to reduce smoking and tackle youth vaping. 'However these findings show that urgent work is needed to ensure that efforts to reduce youth vaping do not have the unintended consequence of increasing the numbers smoking – particularly amongst younger people. 'The ban also feels like being a missed opportunity, with hundreds of thousands of people soon to be looking for alternatives to disposable vapes but over half saying they will simply switch to another product. 'With the ban looming, the Government now needs to get on the front foot, commit to a national mass media anti-smoking campaign and set out more clearly how it will use its forthcoming regulatory powers through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to help ensure that those using disposable vapes do not turn to smoking instead.' From June 1, it has been illegal for businesses to sell or supply single-use vapes, such as Elf bars and Lost Mary, in shops and online. The law is aimed at protecting the environment and tackling a surge in youth vaping rates, which have soared from 0.8 per cent in 2013 to 7.2 per cent last year. Disposable vapes, known for their variety of flavours and brightly coloured packaging, have become increasingly popular among teenagers. Moreover, an estimated 5million single use vapes, which are available to buy at pocket money prices, are thrown away in the UK every week. Retailers in England who are caught breaking the law face a minimum £200 penalty or a two-year-prison sentence for repeat offenders. Any single-use e-cigarettes that are found on sale, will be seized by Trading Standards. Rechargeable vapes that are refillable and have a battery and replaceable coil will remain on the market. It will not be illegal to own or be in possession of a single-use vape - with reports that millions of Brits have stockpiled the devices in preparation for the ban. MailOnline revealed this month that nearly 40 per cent of vapers have enough disposable e-cigarettes to last three months. All ages showed interest in stockpiling but it was 45-54-year-olds who led the way, with almost 90 per cent saying they were putting together a collection in preparation. Vapes are not currently subject to an additional tax like tobacco products, although 20 per cent VAT is charged. However, a new vaping duty is being introduced by the government on October 1 next year - to be charged at a flat rate of £2.20 per 10ml vaping liquid. Vape advertising is also set to be banned as part of the government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament. Then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak initially announced the plans to ban disposable vapes in January last year. The former prime minister was acting on evidence that those taking on the habit across all age groups had ballooned by more than 400 per cent since 2012. Moreover, recent NHS figures showed a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds in England have tried vaping, with almost one in 10 using e-cigarettes regularly. And the highest rates of disposable vape use are among those aged 18 to 24, a survey of 4,393 British adults previously revealed. The NHS has historically recommended vapes to help people quit smoking, which is one of the biggest causes of illness and death in the UK. About 76,000 people die every year from smoking-related health problems, including heart disease, strokes and cancer. E-cigarettes are less harmful and can help people quit smoking for good, according to the health service. However, vaping is not risk free - e-cigarettes contain harmful toxins and their long-term effects remains a mystery. Some doctors fear a wave of lung disease and even cancer in the coming decades due to vaping. Experts are also concerned the high nicotine content might increase blood pressure and cause other heart problems. Freedom of Information requests revealed that 24 children in England were hospitalised due to vaping since the start of 2022. These could include lung damage or a worsening of asthma symptoms. When putting the Tobacco and Vapes Bill before Parliament last November, Mr Streeting told MPs: 'The number of children vaping is growing at an alarming rate and without urgent intervention, we're going to have a generation of children with long-term addiction. 'It is unacceptable that these harmful products are being deliberately targeted at children with brightly coloured packaging and flavours like "gummy bear" and "rainbow burst". 'The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides the protection that children and young people need to avoid a life imprisoned by addiction. That's why it's so incredibly important it is voted through.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson today told MailOnline: 'Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will help us crack down on rogue retailers by giving trading standards stronger enforcement powers and it includes powers to introduce a retail licensing scheme for tobacco, vaping and nicotine products. 'We are also investing £30million in total this year to tackle the illicit and underage sale of tobacco and vapes, supporting enforcement agencies including Trading Standards, Border Force and HMRC to enforce our rules.'
RNZ News
16-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
New vaping laws banning disposables come into force today
The distribution, manufacture, sale and supply of disposable vapes are now banned. There will be increased penalties - up to $400,000 for manufacturers, importers and large retailers - and as much as $50,000 for any other person - who breaches the rules. The way stores look has to change from today as well - vape products must be kept out of sight. Online stores can't have images of vape products and they can't link to overseas websites with these pictures. Kathryn talks to Janet Hoek, a professor of Public Health at the University of Otago.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Battery warning after 70 fires at Grantham waste plant
Disposing of batteries in general waste can have a "catastrophic impact", Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue than 70 fires were started in 2024 by discarded electronics and batteries at the county's waste processing plant near Grantham, according to the service. It urged people to recycle items containing lithium ion batteries at household waste recycling centres or supermarket drop-off manager Dan Moss said: "It can have devastating effects. Once the batteries catch fire, they're very difficult to extinguish." Mr Moss said the batteries often catch fire when they are crushed as part of the general waste recycling process. He said the main causes of the fires were disposable vapes which contain lithium ion batteries. "If the disposable vapes are then in around other combustible items, which they would be if they were thrown in the general waste, the batteries will catch fire and then very quickly ignite other items around them," Mr Moss said. Litium ion batteries can be found in lots of other items including children's toys, e-scooters and electric cars, he said. Mr Moss urged people to be vigilant when disposing of them. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
