Cargolux Airlines Stops Carrying Disposable Vapes
Cargolux, a leading European cargo airline, has announced that it will no longer carry disposable vapes on its fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft. The decision, which the company says was made for “ethical reasons,” extends to its Italian subsidiary, Cargolux Italia, and could have significant implications for the distribution of these popular vaping devices in several European countries.
Growing Concerns
In a press release, Cargolux stated that the move was a response to increasing worries about the negative effects of disposable vapes on both public health and the environment. The company echoed claims made by anti-vaping groups and politicians, asserting that disposable vapes “pose a significant risk to human health, particularly for younger generations, given their targeted marketing with attractive flavors.”
Cargolux also expressed concern about the environmental impact of disposable vapes, citing the non-recyclable nature of the lithium-ion batteries used in these devices. However, this claim has been disputed by some in the vaping industry.
Potential Impact
As the seventh-largest cargo-only airline in the world and the largest based in Europe, Cargolux’s decision could have far-reaching consequences for the availability of disposable vapes in the region. The company has offices in over 50 countries and delivers freight to more than 75 destinations, including 10 cities in the United States.
France has already initiated the process of banning disposable vapes, while the British government has expressed its intention to follow suit. With Cargolux’s decision to halt the transport of these products, the landscape of the European vape market may be set for significant changes.
A Call for Industry
Richard Forson, president and CEO of Cargolux, expressed hope that the company’s initiative would contribute to reducing the availability of disposable vapes in the market. “As a responsible corporate citizen, Cargolux aims for this initiative to encourage other logistics operators to adopt similar measures,” he said.
Cargolux’s decision follows in the footsteps of Fedex and UPS, the two largest air carriers in the world, which announced in early 2021 that they would stop carrying vaping products (by air or ground) in the United States. This move was in response to the passage of a law that added vaping products to the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT Act), effectively banning U.S. Mail delivery of vaping products.
As the debate surrounding disposable vapes continues, Cargolux’s decision to prioritize ethical concerns over potential profits may set a precedent for other companies in the logistics and transportation industry.
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