The sale of single-use vapes will be banned in the U.K., starting June next year. The government aims to protect children’s health and prevent environmental harm with this move.
Although anti-vaping groups have welcomed the ban, vaping industry leaders are singing a different tune, claiming the government’s decision could fuel the rise of illegal sales of vape products.
According to SkyQuest, the global disposable electronic cigarettes market is predicted to reach $14.8 billion by 2030.
The industry’s growth forecast may be jeopardized when the ban takes effect in England and Wales. Countries like Argentina, Brazil and India have already prohibited the sale of vapes. The big question is, should the rest of the world follow suit?
Current Consensus in U.S.
Electronic nicotine delivery systems have remained a public health concern for years in the U.S.
Since their introduction in 2007, monthly E-cigarette sales skyrocketed to 22.7 million units in 2022. They remain the most common tobacco products used by middle school and high school students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A shocking concern is that more than 60% of young tobacco users revealed disposable vapes were their product of choice.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates e-cigarettes in the country. The body authorizes products on a case-by-case basis. Thus far, the FDA has approved 23 e-cigarette products and devices for the U.S. market.
This doesn’t necessarily mean illegal products don’t slip through the cracks. In December last year, AP reported that more than 11,500 vape products were being sold in U.S. stores, pointing to the illegal shipment of unauthorized products into the country.
What Studies Say
The side effects of vaping have been documented as recently as this month. A study in the journal Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology found that young men who vape have a higher risk of heart disease.
Researchers discovered that e-cigarette aerosols caused minimal lung and body inflammation. However, long-term use of tobacco-flavored vapes led to increased lipid levels and plaque buildup in the heart and blood vessels.
Another issue causing concern is “hacked” e-cigarette devices. According to Yale Medicine, up to 40% of teenagers and young adults modify their vape devices, increasing the risk of lung injury and burns. Others admitted to combining cannabis liquids with nicotine in devices meant only for nicotine use.
A condition associated with vaping is “e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury” (EVALI), which causes symptoms like coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Dozens of deaths related to EVALI have already been reported.
Why Are Disposable Vapes a Health Risk?
Citing a study from the University of North Carolina, the American Lung Association warns that vape products’ two primary ingredients (propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin) are toxic to human cells.
Vaping also produces dangerous chemicals, namely acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde. These toxins can cause lung disease and heart disease.
A shocking discovery is that vapes contain a herbicide used to kill weeds. Acrolein can cause acute lung injury and asthma.
The Dreaded Popcorn Lung
Previously referred to as a rare lung disease, medical experts have witnessed an uptick in Popcorn Lung.
A flavoring chemical called diacetyl is found in 75% of flavored vapes. The chemical has been linked to severe cases of Popcorn Lung. A debilitating and irreversible respiratory disease causes scarring in the tiny air sacs of the lungs.
Symptoms can take weeks or months to manifest. The first sign is a dry, persistent cough followed by shortness of breath.
Wheezing is accompanied by a high-pitched whistling sound. This is a sign of inflammation and mucus build-up in the bronchioles. Fatigue and a skin rash can develop due to exposure to diacetyl.
If you suspect you have popcorn lung and show symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
Move Towards a Circular Economy
Businesses in the U.K. have until June to sell any remaining disposable vape stock. Following the deadline, vape users will have to quit smoking.
Besides the health implications, the nation aims to reduce the use of single-use plastics. Circular economy minister Mary Creagh tells Sky News that single-use vapes were “extremely wasteful.”
Creagh reiterated that the ban was the first step towards a circular economy. The aim is to extend resource use, reduce waste, and accelerate the path to net zero.
With all the evidence mounting against disposable vapes, countries should pay heed to the cautionary signs. Besides the health risks associated with the products, they emit plastic toxic compounds and nicotine into the environment.
Remember when doctors said it was safe for pregnant women to smoke? How far we’ve come since then. When vaping was first introduced as an alternative to cigarettes, it was hailed as a game-changer. Now, it’s viewed as swapping one nicotine addiction for another.
