As the June 1st deadline for the UK's disposable vape ban looms, researchers from University College London (UCL) have cautioned that the measure may have a limited effect on overall e-cigarette use. The warning comes amid a study that highlights a shift in consumer behavior, with more vapers opting for refillable and reusable devices since the ban was announced in January 2024.
Vaping Trends and the Potential Impact of the Ban
The UCL study, funded by Cancer Research UK, analyzed data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, an ongoing survey of adults in England, Wales, and Scotland. Researchers examined responses from 88,611 people collected between January 2022 and January 2024.
During this two-year period, vaping rates among those aged 16 and over increased from 8.9% to 13.5%. However, the proportion of vapers primarily 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.
Lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson suggests that the disposable vape ban may have a limited impact on overall vaping rates, as vapers are already shifting away from disposable devices. "It seems likely that people using these products will move to reusable versions rather than stop vaping completely," she noted.
Stalling Vaping Prevalence and Policy Concerns
The study also indicates that the rapid rise in e-cigarette use seen in recent years has stalled. Vaping rates among adults increased from 8.9% to 13.5% between January 2022 and January 2024, with rates among young adults rising from 17% to 26.5%. However, after the new policy measures were announced in January 2024, vaping prevalence remained relatively stable.
Dr. Jackson cautioned that while action is likely still required to reduce high vaping rates, policymakers should avoid stricter policy options currently under review, such as those included in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. These measures could potentially restrict the packaging, marketing, and flavors of e-cigarettes.
"Some of the options being considered may be more likely to have the unintended consequence of deterring smokers from using vapes to quit smoking," she warned.
Balancing Public Health Priorities
Professor Jamie Brown, also from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, emphasized the importance of balancing efforts to reduce vaping among children and never-smokers with the need to prioritize smoking as the number one public health concern.
"These findings should reassure policymakers that they can prioritize measures, such as restrictions on marketing, packaging, and display, which are least likely to undermine how helpful vapes are for people trying to quit smoking," he said.
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. She stressed the importance of striking the right balance between protecting young people and supporting adults in their efforts to stop smoking.
As the disposable vape ban approaches, policymakers must carefully consider the potential impact of their decisions on both youth vaping rates and the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a tool for smoking cessation. By implementing well-designed policies that prioritize public health while minimizing unintended consequences, the UK can work towards achieving a smoke-free future while safeguarding the well-being of its younger generations.
- News source: Disposable vape ban date looms as warning issuedc
