Press Release
A ban on flavours and disposables will cause increased deaths
We Vape – the UK consumer advocacy group – is deeply concerned by the UK Governments plans to ban disposable vapes and restrict vaping to just four flavours. Whilst the aims of this policy to reduce under 18 use are well intentioned, ultimately it will backfire due to the growth in the black market and the increase in smoking.
Studies suggest one in five current vapers will switch to cigarettes due to the lack of availability of the most convenient form of this harm reduction product. With 2/3rds of smokers dying prematurely that’s hundreds of thousands in preventable deaths. This is a travesty that both the UK Government and the media are ignoring.
Mark Oates founder of We Vape said:
“How many adults have to die because the Government doesn’t want to implement policies that will actually have an effect on reducing illegal youth use. We could have a licensing system, regular age test purchasing and punitive fines for those that break the law. Instead they’re prohibiting adults from having access to a product that is keeping them away from combustible cigarettes.”
The Government is also planning on restricting vaping to 4 flavours, which will undoubtedly cause people to seek the flavours they enjoy from the black market.
Oates said:
“Our own national polling suggests 20% of vapers will consider returning to smoking and a fifth will seek the flavours they like on the black market. That’s a million vapers going back to smoking which would likely lead to 600,000 premature deaths”
Whilst teens illegally getting hold of vapes is a problem, We Vape argue that this won’t solve the problem as those traders who are willing to sell to under 18’s are the same traders that sell illegal vapes so they will just source disposables from the black market.
Consumers who don’t use disposables should be aware that if the problem of youth vaping isn’t solved through this then the Government will just move onto the next type of product to ban.
Mark said:
“It will be pod systems next and when that doesn’t work we could well end up following Australia into making vaping illegal unless you see a doctor and in that case you’ll get a very substandard product. This is why it is so important for vapers to stand up against this creeping prohibition at the very earliest stage.”
Vapers who oppose the flavour ban and or disposable ban can write to their MP on the We Vape website https://we-vape.org/contact-your-mp/. The Government have suggested a consultation on flavours will be coming shortly so it is vital consumers sign up to We Vape to make sure they don’t miss the chance to have their say.
