Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) was delighted to hear the confirmation today from Minister Muir that the sale of disposable vapes will be banned in Northern Ireland by April 2025.
The Minister outlined the huge environmental impact that disposable vapes have on communities; “The environmental damage created by the alarming rise in the littering and incorrect disposal of used vapes is a key concern. It's estimated that as many as five million single use vapes are simply thrown away in residual bins or littered every week across the UK, rather than being recycled. Single use vape waste introduces plastic, nicotine salts, metals and lithium-ion batteries into the environment and can have a devastating impact on our environment and biodiversity.”
Eugene Reid, Policy and Engagement Officer at NICHS, said; “We agree with this assessment, and we also want to highlight the potential damage these vapes are doing to the health of our young people as well as being a means of getting young people addicted to nicotine. It is young people who purchase the majority of these items.”
“The team at Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke have been at the forefront of driving this project and we see today’s announcement as another positive milestone in the drive to build a smoke free society and protect our citizens from the harmful effects of vaping. We welcome this announcement wholeheartedly and hope that the timelines are set and adhered to.”
