Experts Warn of Unintended Consequences in Disposable Vape Ban

UK: New research led by University College London and supported by Cancer Research UK reveals a notable surge in adult vape usage, with particular emphasis on disposable e-cigarettes. The study, published in Public Health, draws on survey responses from nearly 70,000 adults across England, Wales, and Scotland between January 2021 and August 2023.

Sharp Increase in Disposable E-Cigarette Use

The research highlights a substantial increase in the use of disposable e-cigarettes, soaring from 0.1% to 4.9% among adults during the examined period. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, the surge is even more pronounced, reaching 14.4% in 2023.

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For smokers, the increase stands at 16.3%, while individuals who quit smoking in the past year saw an 18.2% rise in disposable vape usage. Among those who had never regularly smoked, the prevalence was relatively low at 1.5%. However, the figure rises to 7.1% among 18 to 24-year-olds who had never regularly smoked tobacco.

Lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson from UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care underscores potential ramifications of an outright ban on disposable e-cigarettes. She emphasizes that such a ban could impact around 2.6 million individuals in the surveyed regions.

Concerns for Smokers and Ex-Smokers

Dr. Jackson notes, “While banning disposables might seem like a straightforward solution to reduce youth vaping, it could have substantial unintended consequences for people who smoke.” She highlights that the affected group includes 316,000 young adults who use disposables but haven’t regularly smoked tobacco.

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In the event of a ban, experts stress the need to encourage current and ex-smokers using disposables to transition to other e-cigarette types rather than reverting to smoking. Dr. Jackson also raises awareness about the prevalence of disposable use among recent ex-smokers with a history of mental health conditions, suggesting this group may need targeted support to prevent relapse.

As discussions around potential regulations unfold, finding a nuanced approach that safeguards youth while considering the needs of smokers and ex-smokers emerges as a critical challenge. The study’s insights are poised to inform ongoing debates on vaping regulations and their potential implications.