UK Disposable Vape Ban May Have Limited Impact as Vapers Shift Preferences, Study Finds
The UK government’s plan to ban disposable vapes, set to take effect on June 1, may not be as effective in reducing overall vaping rates as hoped, according to a recent study by researchers at University College London (UCL). The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, suggests that there has been a “shift away” from disposable vapes since the ban was announced, with more people opting for refillable and reusable devices instead.
Stalling Vaping Rates and Shifting Preferences
Analyzing data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, an ongoing survey of adults in England, Wales, and Scotland, the researchers found that the rapid rise in e-cigarette use seen in Britain in recent years has “stalled.” Between January 2022 and January 2024, vaping rates among those aged 16 and over increased from 8.9% to 13.5%. However, the proportion of those mainly using disposables fell from 43.6% in January 2024 to 29.4% a year later, with an even steeper decline among 16 to 24-year-olds.
Dr. Sarah Jackson, lead author of the study, suggests that the ban on disposables may have limited impact on overall vaping rates, as vapers are already moving away from disposable devices. “It seems likely that people using these products will move to reusable versions rather than stop vaping completely,” she added.
Balancing Public Health Priorities
The study’s findings come as the government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently working its way through Parliament, includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing, and flavors of e-cigarettes. While the researchers acknowledge the need for action to reduce high vaping rates, they caution against stricter policy options that could deter smokers from using vapes to quit smoking.
Professor Jamie Brown, also of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, emphasized the importance of prioritizing measures that are least likely to undermine the role of vapes in helping people quit smoking. “It is important that these measures are introduced alongside other messaging and policies that continue to encourage and support smokers to quit smoking, such as mass media campaigns and the swap to stop scheme,” he said.
Industry and Government Responses
Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive of public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), commented that the data indicates the government’s action on vaping is starting to shift both business practices and consumer behavior. “That’s a positive sign and shows that the planned regulations have potential to tackle the trend in youth vaping,” she said, while stressing the importance of striking the right balance between protecting young people and supporting adults in quitting smoking.
Gillian Golden, chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, welcomed the news that many vapers are already moving away from single-use devices ahead of the June ban. She echoed the researchers’ calls for regulators to carefully consider applying further restrictions on vaping before current and forthcoming regulations have fully taken effect.
A Government spokesperson responded to the study, stating that it provides promising evidence that the rise in vaping among young people has stalled. They reiterated the health advice that while vapes can be an effective quit aid for adult smokers, children and non-smokers should never vape. The spokesperson also highlighted the government’s commitment to creating a smoke-free generation and tackling the environmental impact of disposable vapes through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Conclusion
As the UK government prepares to implement the ban on disposable e-cigarettes, the study by UCL researchers serves as a reminder of the complex challenges involved in regulating vaping products. While the ban may not be as effective in reducing overall vaping rates as initially hoped, it is part of a broader effort to strike a balance between protecting public health, particularly that of young people, and supporting adult smokers in their efforts to quit. As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill progresses through Parliament, policymakers will need to carefully consider the potential unintended consequences of stricter regulations on e-cigarettes, while continuing to prioritize evidence-based measures to reduce smoking rates and improve public health outcomes.
- Press release: Rapid rise in vaping in Britain has stalled
News source: Disposable e-cigarette ban ‘unlikely’ to tackle vaping rates, researchers warn
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