Wales Takes a Stand Against Disposable Vapes: A Step Towards a Greener Future

Introduction

Disposable vapes have become a ubiquitous sight in recent years, contributing significantly to both litter and plastic pollution. In a bid to address these environmental concerns and protect public health, the Welsh government has announced plans to ban the sale of disposable vapes starting from June 1, 2025. This groundbreaking decision marks a significant step towards a cleaner and healthier Wales. It is expected that the rest of the UK will follow suit, with announcements expected soon.

The Environmental Impact of Disposable Vapes

Disposable vapes are often discarded carelessly, ending up in landfills or littering public spaces. The plastic components of these devices take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to the growing plastic waste crisis. Additionally, the lithium-ion batteries found in vapes pose a fire hazard if not disposed of properly.

Protecting Public Health

Beyond their environmental impact, disposable vapes also pose risks to public health. These devices are particularly appealing to young people due to their sleek designs and variety of flavours, making them a gateway to nicotine addiction. By banning the sale of disposable vapes, the Welsh government aims to reduce the number of young people who start vaping and protect their long-term health.

Our goal with vape is to assist those who have or do still smoke cigarettes have an alternative that has been shown to much safer. That isn’t to say that it doesn’t come without it’s own risks and concerns. For this reason, we believe that ensuring children should not have easy access to them. The boom in disposable vapes has made it much easier for young people to access vapes, with convenience stores having a signifiant role to play in the issue.

Industry Reactions and Potential Challenges

While the ban has been welcomed by environmental and public health organizations, it has also faced opposition from some of the vaping industry (not all the industry.) Some argue that the ban could lead to a surge in the black market trade of disposable vapes, potentially undermining safety regulations. However, the Welsh government remains committed to finding alternative solutions that promote public health and environmental sustainability.

Our opinion on it differs to that of some others within the industry. We welcome the ban! That might seem obvious given that we don’t manufacture disposable vapes but do manufacture bottled vape juices. However, there is more to it that just that. The disposable manufacturers also do bottled versions now too. We genuinely care about public health. The vaping industry has had a role to play in improving public health and continue to do so. However, disposables and the suspect liquids that are put inside that has the potential completely destroy that. The industry needs more regulation but it needs to be fully thought through. Lumping all e-liquid manufacturers in to the same barrel cannot be done. There are still lots of us that care and are doing things the right way.

Also, just a quick one….the solution already exists! Refillable vape devices have been with us for years!

Conclusion

The ban on disposable vapes in Wales represents a bold and necessary step towards a cleaner and healthier future. By reducing plastic pollution, protecting public health, and discouraging vaping among young people, this policy has the potential to make a significant positive impact. As the ban approaches, it will be interesting to see how the vaping industry responds and what alternative solutions emerge. We hope that one of the solutions is not nicotine analog alternatives, due to the lack of data surrounding their health impact. To learn more about one of them, check out one of our other blog posts: https://liquidable.co.uk/2024/10/23/the-hidden-dangers-of-6-methyl-nicotine-in-vapes/

Source: https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-10-22/date-confirmed-for-the-banning-of-disposable-vapes