Join us now & support harm reduction!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.
    Latest
    News

    ‘We’re unsure how many vapers will return to smoking after disposables ban,’ admits UK Government

    Ali Anderson
    Ali Anderson
    April 10, 2024
    4 min read
    Download Source FilesDownload Source Files

    The UK Government has admitted it doesn’t know how many vapers will return to potentially fatal smoking after the disposable vape ban. 

    Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom was asked by Adam Afriyie MP in Parliament last week whether she had done a risk assessment on the number of vapers expected to return to smoking if the ban was enforced. 

    This is considered an essential step by action groups, given that cigarettes are a death sentence to around half of smokers - eight million smokers die globally per year - and vaping is an effective quitting tool.

    However, despite nearly a third of adult vapers using disposables, the Government’s impact assessment concluded that the number who might return to vaping is ‘difficult to quantify.’

    Recent research led by Dr. Sarah Jackson at University College London revealed that around three million people would be negatively impacted by a disposable vape ban. 

    This breaks down into “1.2 million people who currently smoke and would benefit from switching to e-cigarettes completely, and a further 744,000 who previously smoked and may be at risk of relapse.”

    The researchers said it was important to support disposable vapers to swap to a different kind of vape instead of returning to smoking. They also found that disposable vapes are more commonly used by those in lower socio-economic classes and those with mental health conditions. 

    The research concludes: “While banning disposables might seem like a straightforward solution to reduce youth vaping, it could have substantial unintended consequences for people who smoke.”

    Meanwhile a recent survey conducted by Evapo showed as many as two thirds of vapers may return to cigarettes if the Government restricts vape flavours.

    The poll showed that the vast majority (88 per cent) of vapers were smokers before making the switch, emphasising vaping's crucial role in their journey towards becoming smoke free.

    When asked about how a ban on certain flavours would affect their future use of vapes, almost two-thirds of respondents are they would be at risk of going back to smoking. 

    Alarmingly, 31 per cent indicated they are likely to resume or increase smoking if their preferred vape flavours were banned or restricted, with an additional 30 per cent considering it ‘somewhat likely’.

    Take Action Now!

    Sign up to our newsletter to get important news and alerts as it happens

    By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.

    FAQs

    Campaigning can be difficult, especially if it's not your full time job, but we're here to make it simpler. In this section, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about legislative processes, advocacy strategies, and how you can effectively participate in shaping policies.

    What is advocacy and how can I get involved?

    Simply put, advocacy is organising a group of likeminded people who campaign for a change in government policy by talking to the people in power. This can take many forms, from posting on social media, to writing to your local politicians, to arranging meetings with the government or responding to consultations. We help by providing the information and tools you need to do this effectively.

    How can I track the progress of legislation?

    Government websites will usually contain a list of the legislative files that are in the process of becoming law. However, these kinds of websites are designed for legal and political professionals, and they can often be confusing for the general public. We help by keeping our ear to the ground, looking out for development in tobacco harm reduction proposals, and then make sure you have an easy-to-use summary.

    What's the best way to contact my representatives?

    Politicians are people too, and like everyone else, the best way to get messages to them varies from person to person. Some like email or even traditional mail, while others are constantly checking their social media feeds. They all have one thing in common though: they need to keep up to date with what matters to the people they represent. We help you find yours by keeping databases of politicians and candidates across Europe alongside all of their contact details, so you can quickly find out how to reach the person you need.

    Can I make a difference?

    Yes! The only reason that harm reduction is still alive and kicking in Europe today is because people like you, with no political or campaigning background, took action to protect the availability of the products they rely on to stay smoke free. We've got lots of articles that talk about when and how this has happened in the past, which we hope will inspire you to get involved and make a difference.

    Still have questions?

    Send us an email and we'll get back to you.

    Stay Updated with Our Newsletter

    Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates and stay engaged.

    By joining, you agree to our Terms and Conditions.
    Be part of something great

    Join the community

    Make a positive change in the world of tobacco harm reduction
    Thank you! Your submission has been received!
    Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
    Email
    Please fill out the form below to get in touch with us.
    hello@clearingtheair.eu