The report recommends banning all gross sales of disposable and non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes. Picture for illustrative functions. Picture credit score: AP
The UK’s prime docs urged the federal government on Wednesday (28 August 2024) to move laws to sort out “a vaping epidemic”, significantly amongst younger individuals, by banning disposable e-cigarettes and all flavours besides tobacco.
The decision comes alongside the publication of a report by the British Medical Affiliation (BMA) which it says offers a “blueprint” for the “daring motion wanted”.
The earlier Conservative authorities unveiled plans earlier this yr to section out smoking, in addition to banning disposable e-cigarettes and limiting their flavours and packaging.
The brand new Labour administration, which got here to energy early final month, has revived the invoice however has but to element its actual strategy.
The BMA report famous that e-cigarette use amongst youngsters and younger individuals has elevated nearly sixfold up to now decade.
He urged the federal government to not “chorus from taking daring measures” to “cease the pattern.”
“There isn’t a denying that we stay in a vaping epidemic,” stated Professor David Pressure, chair of the BMA’s scientific council, in feedback accompanying the publication of the report.
He famous that one in ten adults at the moment vapes, and described as “far more worrying” the six-fold enhance within the variety of individuals aged 11 to 17 who at the moment vape.
“As a doctor, I perceive the function that e-cigarettes can play in serving to individuals stop smoking, however they haven’t any legit place within the lives of our kids and younger individuals,” Pressure added.
“An business that so clearly targets youngsters with colors, flavours and branding to advertise a product that may result in nicotine habit and potential extra hurt can’t be allowed to live on.”
The report recommends banning all gross sales of disposable and non-tobacco flavoured vapes, in addition to the usage of photographs, colors and branding on packaging and units.
This might mirror present restrictions on cigarettes.
The BMA additionally needs restrictions on promoting and advertising and marketing, and guidelines that preserve vapes behind retail counters and never on show.
Within the meantime, it recommends authorities academic campaigns on the hazards of e-cigarettes to cut back their enchantment, particularly amongst younger individuals.
“We’re calling on ministers to take daring and brave motion that may make an actual distinction,” stated Penelope Toff, chair of the BMA’s public well being drugs committee.
A Division of Well being and Social Care spokesman stated advertising and marketing e-cigarettes to youngsters and younger individuals was “completely unacceptable”.
The spokesperson stated the deliberate laws would ban the observe whereas additionally “regulating flavours, packaging and altering how and the place they’re displayed in shops.”
