In light of recent discussions surrounding a potential ban on flavoured disposable vapes in the UK, the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) urges policymakers to consider the far-reaching consequences this move would have on public health and harm reduction. Such a ban contradicts the UK’s existing and successful harm reduction approach.

Michael Landl, the Director of the WVA, stated: “Prohibition doesn’t work. It never has, and it never will. A ban on disposable vapes will not eliminate the demand but shift it from regulated markets to the black market, creating negative, unintended public health consequences.”

Tá an cosc ar vapaí indiúscartha neamhtháirgiúil maidir le laghdú díobhála, a deir Comhghuaillíocht Vapaí an Domhain.

“Is féidir le vapaí indiúscartha a bheith ina gcloch choiscéime ríthábhachtach do chaiteoirí tobac atá ag iarraidh éirí as,” added Landl. “Cuireann siad pointe iontrála éasca ar fáil, agus aistríonn go leor tomhaltóirí go córais oscailte sa deireadh. Tá sé ríthábhachtach don tsláinte phoiblí an cosán sin ó chaitheamh tobac go galú a dhéanamh chomh réidh agus is féidir. Cé go bhfuil toitíní, ar a dtugtar a bheith thar a bheith díobhálach, fós ar fáil go héasca, níl aon loighic ann cosc a chur ar rogha eile nach bhfuil chomh díobhálach sin ar 95%.”

The WVA says that though there are concerns about disposable vapes’ environmental impact and attractiveness to young people, these issues can be addressed through smart regulation rather than an outright ban.

“If disposables are banned, we won’t find solutions to these problems. Instead, we’ll leave them to the illicit market,” warns Landl.

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