Ban on single use vapes in Scotland moves closer as government-backed report calls for action

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Government-funded environmental group is calling for a ban on single use disposable vapes to be considered.Zero Waste Scotland also said a charge on customers buying a product linked to a littering crisis should also be an option.The Record has led calls for a ban on single use vapes after our streets and beaches became dumping grounds for e-cigarettes.A new report by ZWS, a not-for-profit group, and Dr Dominic Hogg of Equanimator Ltd has laid bare the scale of the problem.They found that sales revenues of single-use vapes through grocery outlets doubled between October 2022 and March.It was also estimated that around 67% of users were under twenty five and that 10% of the e-cigs are littered.The report also noted that the batteries used in some popular vapes could be recharged 500 times.It added: “Both the environmental impacts and health issues for young people are of concern around SU-ecig use worldwide.

A number of jurisdictions have already introduced, or are considering introducing, bans on sales, whilst some have banned only flavoured e-cigarettes. “Action on limiting the use of SU-ecigs has so far been largely driven by health concerns, however, as the SU-ecigs have increased their market share, so the environmental concerns are becoming more prominent in the minds of the public.”Nine policy options are listed, including a ban on the sale of single use vapes, requiring that batteries be removed and replaced and a tax linked to recycling performance.Other options include a levy payable by the customer, a ban on flavoured e-cigarettes and tightening of enforcement of existing law in relation to underage sales.The report concluded: All the above policy options have thepotential to influence environmental outcomes,