Disposable vapes are set to be banned in the UK as part of plans to tackle the rise in young people vaping and protect children’s health.

Vapes are devices used for inhaling vapour containing nicotine and flavouring.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce the plan to implement the ban using powers already in place under the Environmental Protection Act. This is expected to come into force at the end of 2024 or the start of 2025 during a visit to a school on Monday.

The government said the new data showed that the number of children vaping in the last three years has tripled. It added that use among younger children is also rising, with one per cent of 11 to 15-year-olds now using vapes.

Disposable vapes have been pushing the rise in youth vaping, with the proportion of 11 to 17-year-old vapers using disposables increasing almost ninefold in the last two years, it added.

New powers would also be introduced to restrict flavours specifically marketed to children and ensure that manufacturers produce plainer packaging.

That also changes how vapes are displayed in shops, moving them out of children’s sight. New €100 ($127) fines would also be brought in for shops in England and Wales that sell vapes illegally to children.

Trading standards officers will be given powers to act on the spot to tackle underage tobacco and vape sales.

This is built on a maximum £2,500 fine that local authorities can impose.

Vaping alternatives, such as nicotine pouches, would also be banned for children.

“As Prime Minister, I have an obligation to do what I think is the right thing for our country in the long term,” said Mr Sunak. “That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes, which have driven the rise in youth vaping and brought forward new powers to restrict vape flavours.”

(dpa/NAN)