‘I think this is an example of an innovation that is really making the world a worse place’
The Irish government is considering implementing a ban on disposable vapes across the country.
In recent years, vaping has become an extremely popular trend with people looking to give up cigarettes and smoking.
The global market for vapes is now estimated to be worth around £20bn a year, up from just over £2.5m in 2016.
However, disposable vapes are seen as a gateway into smoking for teenagers.
There are also concerns that non-smokers are not aware that vaping still poses health risks, although these are a fraction of the risk of smoking cigarettes.
Disposable vapes also pose an environmental risk.
Irish Minister of State Ossian Smyth has said he believes that disposable vapes need to “be banned completely” in Ireland and that he has been working with officials on the plan.
The Minister made the comments on Newstalk Breakfast on Thursday (13 October) while discussing Ireland’s efforts to initiate a “circular economy” in which the reusing of materials is emphasised.
During the conversation, the topic of disposable vapes was raised on which Smyth said: “I’ve no problem with vaping. I can see that it’s something where you recharge your vape and you put liquid in and you reuse it again and again.
“But what’s emerged in the last year has been this idea of a single-use vape.
“You buy this thing, it’s got everything in it – the battery, the vape liquid, it’s a plastic tube – and when you’re finished, typically people are often throwing them on the ground.
“I think this is a product that actually just needs to be banned completely.”
Smyth told the programme that this is his plan and that he has been working with his officials on it, before adding that he will carry out a public consultation on the matter first.
“But I think this is an example of an innovation that is really making the world a worse place,” he also said.
“The idea that you would buy a product that’s very attractive to children, tastes like bubblegum, you smoke on it for maybe 50 drags and then it just gets thrown on the ground.
“And it contains valuable materials: lithium-ion battery, electronics, copper, plastic.
“I think it’s really the opposite of everything we’re trying to do.”
Here in the UK, there are around 4.5 million regular vapers, and nearly 3,000 specialist vape stores, along with a number of online retailers, but they can be commonly found at supermarkets and corner shops as well.
Related links:
- England fans will face fines or jail if caught vaping at Qatar World Cup
- A Geek Tragedy: How the rise of single-use vapes created an environmental crisis
- Eye doctor warns smokers and vapers against ‘permanent blindness‘
