What would happen if the UK banned flavoured vapes?
In this article...
Disposables are set to be banned from the 1st June 2025 with the aim to prevent the sale of vapes to children and combat vape pollution. Following the announcement the Labour Government have released an amended Tobacco and Vapes Bill. It put forwards a restriction on vape flavours, but should they be banned altogether?
Bans Don’t Stop Vaping
Bans are usually enacted with the best intentions by governments but can often have negative effects on the public. Let’s take a look at some countries that have outlawed flavours or vaping as a whole, and what were the results.
Singapore
Singapore is a prime example of how sometimes bans don’t work. In 2018 the country made it illegal to import, sell, purchase, use, and possess vapes.
Nevertheless the country has seen a trend in vaping. A vaping culture amongst young people has grown due to a rise in the illegal market.
The number of offences for e-cigarette purchase, use, or possession rose to 58 % from 5,000 cases in 2022. It then jumped to 7,900 cases in 2023.
The number of students reported for vaping offences rose from fewer than 50 in 2018 to 800 in 2022 (The Straits Times, 2024).
USA
In February 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed restrictions on several flavoured liquids and many US states embraced it. But, it didn’t discourage vapers from flavoured products.
Research conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) revealed that less than 5% of users quit e-cigarettes because of the ban. Instead, these vapers either sourced their liquids from states that didn’t ban them, switched to allowed flavours or returned to smoking.
Australia
From October 1st 2024, therapeutic vapes can now be purchased from pharmacies by people over 18 without a prescription.
Therapeutic vapes are designed for people quitting smoking, or managing a nicotine dependence.
Flavours are limited to mint, menthol, or tobacco. Packaging will remain plain and nicotine concentration can’t be higher than 20mg. People who need vapes with a higher nicotine concentration will need to accquire a prescription.
The UK Government have announced potential flavour restrictions in the amended October 2024 ‘Tobacco and Vapes Bill’.
The bill has proposed to restrict flavours with the aim to deter children from maintaining or picking up the habit.
However many in the industry worry this will greatly affect ex-smokers from sticking with the cessation tool as well as deter people from new quitters.
Black Markets and Illegal Vapes
The main issue with outright bans is that it drives the black market to new levels. A third of the vape market in the UK is said to be made up of illegal sales. Many argue the stricter the laws become the further issues the UK law enforcement will face.
There is a concent danger of black market vapes not being compliant with TRPR regulations. Reports suggest there is commonly extremely high levels of toxic metals found in illegal vapes, which poses significant risk for vapers. At least if flavours and disposables are regulated, the dangers are minimised.
A Return to Smoking
For law abiding vapers, a flavour ban could be devastating. The Government believe fruit and dessert flavours inadvertently attract children.
However a survey by Evapo a leading smoking cessation and vaping specialist company, revealed that 71% of people over the age of 45 prefer fruit and desert flavours.
Further, 81% believe flavour restrictions would negatively impact individuals trying to switch from smoking to vaping.
Source: UKVIA article ‘Two Thirds of Ex-smokers will return to tobacco if the Government Restricts Vape Flavours‘.
Should Flavoured Vapes Be Banned?
When it comes to issues surrounding youth vaping many believe illegal sellers are the leading cause of uptake. Flavours help adult smokers make a healthier transition to vaping and encourage smoking cessation. What should be enforced is stricter importation, higher fines for illegal retailers and the possibility of limiting e-cig sales to licensed outlets.
