ASH SCOTLAND CALLS FOR OUTRIGHT BAN ON DISPOSABLE E-CIGARETTES
Health charity ASH Scotland is advocating for a complete ban on disposable e-cigarettes, prompted by the release of Zero Waste Scotland's comprehensive review.
T
his review, (published on Friday 30 June 2023) details the environmental and health implications of single-use e-
cigarettes, particularly among young users.
As concerns escalate globally, with various countries contemplating or already implementing bans on these harmful products, the European Union is also poised to enact restrictive clauses which could lead to disposable e-cigarettes being prevented from being sold in current forms from the end of 2026.
Environmental and health impact Up to 26 million disposable vapes were consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the last year, of which an estimated 10 per cent were littered and more than half were incorrectly disposed of, according to the report. The review estimates that in the year ending January 2023, there were 543,000 vapers in Scotland - of which 51,000 (9%) were under 16 and 78,000 (14%) were
under 18. Most under 18 e-cigarette users prefer single use vapes.
The total emissions associated with disposable vapes in 2022 are estimated to have been up to 4,292 tonnes of CO2e – the equivalent of around 2,100 cars on Scotland’s roads. The lithium batteries used in the most popular disposable vapes pose further dangers to the environment.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland said: “Any form of littering is unacceptable – it damages the environment, economy, and is a blight on the areas where we live, work, and socialise. Single use vapes are made up of components which, unless disposed of safely and responsibly, can last on our planet for years and years.
"This is why Zero Waste Scotland was happy to lead on this important report. Tackling our throwaway culture is a priority for us and we will continue to work with the Scottish Government in
highlighting the huge impact that littering these items has on the environment.”
ASH Scotland's advocacy for an outright ban Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, strongly advocates for an outright ban on disposable e-cigarettes saying, "Now that Zero Waste Scotland’s report has been published a ban on disposable e-cigarettes is, in our view, the clearest most workable option to tackle both the environmental impacts as well as the health concerns about children vaping.”
"Disposable vapes, which are often displayed alongside sweets in shops, come in colourful designs and sweet flavours which entice children to use the health harming products. Nicotine, which is included in many of these recreational disposable e-cigarettes, is highly addictive and the products also contain toxic chemicals that have not been safety tested for inhalation and could seriously damage lung health over time.”
scottishpharmacist.com 41
SINGLE USE VAPES ARE MADE UP OF COMPONENTS WHICH, UNLESS DISPOSED OF SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY, CAN LAST ON OUR PLANET FOR YEARS
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