LONDON: The UK will introduce legislation to ban disposable e-cigarettes in order to tackle a rise in youth vaping, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Monday.
“You talk to any parent or teacher, they will talk to you about the worrying rise in vaping amongst children,” Sunak told the media during a visit to a school in Darlington, northeast England.
“It´s right we take strong action to stamp this out, banning disposable vapes, taking powers to go after the flavours, the appearance, the packaging, where vapes are displayed in stores,” he added.
“Children shouldn´t be vaping.”
Pre-filled disposable e-cigarettes, known as “puffs”, are popular with young people, can have a high nicotine content, come in many flavours and are cheap.
The government cited recent figures showing the proportion of vapers under the age of 18 who use disposables has increased almost ninefold in the last two years.
Sunak´s government also plans to introduce fines for shops in England and Wales that sell vapes illegally to children.
Health experts welcomed the proposal, with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty saying the legislation would have “a major public health impact across many future generations”.
“Another massive attack on our energy industry!” Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on Telegram app
Greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels are the main cause of climate change
According to media, the vote passed with nearly 60 percent in favour
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a bacterial infection of the lungs and airways, and is endemic in Europe
Harry, the younger son of King Charles, is one of seven claimants suing Associated Newspapers
On Wednesday the original post had disappeared from the platform, with a notice saying it had been deleted