Angela Rayner column: Concerns grow about single use vapes

In her latest column, Ashton-under-Lyne's Labour MP Angela Rayner writes about her concerns around single use vapes.

My inbox has been flooded recently with constituents who are extremely worried about single use vapes – from a public health point of view and an environmental one.

E-cigarettes are part of the drive towards a smoke-free society, but I do have concerns about the rise in e-cigarette use among children, as well as the environmental impact of disposable vapes.

The Government has no current plans to ban single-use vapes, but it has promised to review the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, with a view to introducing measures aimed at driving up levels of collections of waste electricals, including vapes, to ensure more of these products are properly recycled.

However, progress has been slow.

I was concerned to learn that ministers have not undertaken any assessment of the environmental impact of single-use vape products, despite research suggesting at least 1.3 million are thrown away each week across the UK.

The incorrect disposal of these devices can have significant consequences for our environment.

This is unsustainable and, in my view, requires urgent action, including giving councils the resources they need to keep our communities clean and safe.

On public health, the concerning trend in young people vaping has been highlighted by Professor Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, who described the promotion of vapes to children as ‘utterly unacceptable.’

I want all children to be not just smoke-free, but vape-free.

That is why I supported an amendment to the Health and Care Bill (now Act), which would have given the Health Secretary powers to prohibit branding on e-cigarette packaging that is appealing to children. Disappointingly, ministers rejected the amendment, and it was defeated.

It is important that we strike a delicate balance between supporting smokers in their journey towards a smoke-free future while safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our youth.

E-cigarettes are one measure that should sit within a broader public health strategy to help people live well for longer.

I fully support a ban on vapes being branded and advertised in a way that appeals to children and I believe we should work collaboratively with local councils and the NHS to ensure e-cigarettes are being used as a stop smoking aide, rather than a new form of smoking.

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