London, UK  – The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) strongly opposes the UK government’s impending ban on disposable vapes, set to be announced today. This move, aimed at deterring children from vaping, is criticised by the WVA as a misguided policy that could undermine public health efforts and exacerbate health inequalities.

Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, expresses his concerns:

“The UK’s plan to ban disposable vapes is a classic case of good intentions paving the way to poor outcomes. Such a ban not only ignores the real-life complexities of smoking cessation but also risks driving current vapers back to more harmful smoking habits or into the arms of the black market.”

Landl further emphasises the counterproductive nature of the ban:

“By restricting access to disposable vapes, a pivotal tool for many smokers transitioning to safer alternatives, the government is effectively closing off a proven pathway to quitting smoking. This isn’t just a step back in harm reduction; it’s jeopardising the health of millions.”

The proposed ban could have far-reaching consequences. Ikerketa from UCL and King’s College London in the Journal of Public Health indicates that such a ban could slow the decline in smoking prevalence in the UK, affecting approximately 2.6 million people. Moreover, it could disproportionately impact disadvantaged groups, who have higher smoking rates and typically find it harder to quit.

The WVA urges the UK government to reconsider its stance, adopt a more evidence-based approach towards disposable vapes, and keep the current harm reduction strategy. The organisation calls for a focus on robust enforcement of existing age restrictions and a deeper understanding of the reasons behind vaping, particularly among teenagers.