### UK Announces Ban on Disposable Vapes to Combat Environmental Impact

The United Kingdom will implement a ban on disposable vapes starting this Sunday, marking its latest effort to address the significant environmental issues posed by single-use devices. This move places the UK among the first European nations to enact such legislation, following in the footsteps of France and Belgium.

The environmental ramifications of disposable vapes have been severe, with an estimated 8.2 million units discarded weekly, or approximately 13 devices every second, according to an analysis by the environmental group Material Focus released in December. The UK government has labeled these vapes as "eyesores," highlighting their detrimental impact on the environment and wildlife. The plastics used in these products are extremely resistant to natural decomposition.

A significant concern is that improperly discarded batteries from these vapes can cause fires in rubbish trucks and waste facilities. Material Focus reported 1,200 fire incidents between May 2023 and May 2024 linked to such disposals.

The government also sees the ban as a measure to reduce youth vaping. Over half of children who vape prefer disposable models. While possession of disposable vapes will not be criminalized, retailers and distributors could face initial penalty fines of £200 ($270) starting Sunday, with further fines or prison sentences for ongoing violations.

Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, described the ban as crucial but warned of an impending 'vapocalypse' due to new 'big puff' and 'pod' vape models. He noted that vape producers are creatively adapting their products to circumvent the ban.

London retailer Adi Patel from Hari Off License in Shoreditch mentioned that customer preferences might be hard to change. According to Patel, customers favor the older disposables offering 600 puffs over newer, non-disposable versions with 6,000 puffs, mainly for the ability to switch flavors more frequently. Additionally, the newer vapes are more expensive, posing financial challenges for customers.

John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association, expressed concerns that the ban might push vapers back to cigarette smoking and spark a black market for disposable vapes. He emphasized the need for enforcing existing laws rather than creating new bans.

Vaping has surged in popularity, with an estimated 5.6 million users in the UK, as reported by Action on Smoking and Health last year. Disposable vapes have been especially popular among young adults seeking to quit smoking. However, their appealing design and flavors have also attracted teenagers, with nearly 1 in 10 secondary school pupils in the UK vaping frequently, according to a National Health Service survey published in October.

Former vape user Eaben Kusik, a 17-year-old student in Brighton, shared that while he initially enjoyed the variety of flavors and colors in vapes, he soon felt uncomfortable with the wastefulness of discarding them after just a few days.

Environmental organization Greenpeace UK applauded the ban but stressed that more comprehensive measures are needed to tackle the broader issue of plastic waste. A pending Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament aims to give ministers further authority to regulate vape packaging, flavors, and marketing, particularly to deter targeting children.