New research shows that around two thirds of the public want the Government to ban the sale of disposable vapes
A survey recently carried out with over 1,000 people aged 15 and over by the independent polling organisation Ipsos found that 64% of respondents support the ban of disposable e-cigarettes, also known as vapes. Only 28% opposed the measure and 8% were unsure.
The Government’s public consultation period on disposable e-vaping devices ended today, July 27th. Mark Murphy, Advocacy Manager for Environmental Health and Tobacco with the Irish Heart Foundation, said it showed the public know disposable vapes are not only a health risk but also pose a threat to the environment.
“In 2019, 18.1% of teens admitted to using vapes but this number will have soared since the introduction of disposable vapes,” he said.
Of those polled, 57% in the 15-24 age group supported a disposable vape ban, while half of the 24-35 cohort were in favour.
The majority of all other age groups who took part in the survey also agreed the sale of disposable vapes in Ireland should end.
In its submission to Government, the Irish Heart Foundation said a study showed that teenagers who use them are between three and five times more likely to start smoking than those who don’t, and something similar was found by EU health researchers.
“A similar pattern could easily emerge in this country,” says Murphy.
The environmental risk was also highlighted in the submission, because disposable e-cigarettes contain plastic, copper and a lithium battery, none of which can be recycled.
“They are fuelling teenage vaping and nicotine addiction while damaging our planet. These single-use vapes are designed as fashionable, trendy lifestyle products which make them highly appealing to young people,” he says.
“Moreover, their sleek design makes them easy to hide from parents and teachers. Ireland led the way with its workplace smoking ban, but we are fast losing ground again in the fight against tobacco addiction. We simply cannot allow another generation of young people to become addicted to nicotine.”
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