Fresh statement on ban on single use vapes:
Fresh has responded to an announcement today that new legislation to protect the environment by banning the sale of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025 has been laid in Parliament.
Ailsa Rutter OBE Director of Fresh and Balance said: “We welcome this legislation which is being introduced on environmental rather than health grounds and it is also important to remember that tobacco butts are lethally toxic to the environment. However removing disposable vapes from sale will also protect children – we have seen that some children have been using vapes which no parent wants.
“Children can experiment with a range of things including tobacco, alcohol and vaping. We recognise the appeal of disposable vapes to children and it is important that evidence based policies are taken to reduce this appeal, and that access to them needs to be addressed alongside plans to create a smokefree future for the next generation. The last thing we want is for children to get hooked on lethal tobacco which kills 2 in 3 lifelong smokers.
“Despite welcoming the ban, we also have to recognise that single use vapes have played an important role for people to quit smoking – and especially people with serious mental illness or older people who have been benefitting from a simple, easy to use alternative and significant less harmful form of nicotine delivery.
“Therefore it is important that any potential unintended consequences of the ban are considered as well, such as the risk it could make it harder for people who smoke to switch over totally to less harmful vaping as a way to stop smoking. The vape market has evolved and there is now a range of products similar to single use vapes but are refillable and rechargeable. It will be vital to ensure people who smoke, as well as healthcare and other frontline workers who may be supporting them to quit, are aware of all of the quitting options available.
“The message to people who smoke is clear: nicotine vaping poses a fraction of the risks of lethal tobacco smoking and, although they are not risk free, they are effective in supporting people to quit tobacco use and there are other options to help you switch over totally.”