"Encouraging A DEADLY Lifestyle!" - IEA Spokesperson On Govt Vaping Ban Pushing People To Smoke | TalkTV

Rishi Sunak has set out plans to get rid of disposable vapes to protect children’s health as he faces a backlash from the Tory right over his proposed tobacco sale ban. During a school visit on Monday, the Prime Minister said he is taking “strong action” to “stamp out” youth vaping, following a public consultation on the issue in which almost 70% of respondents were in favour of a ban.

It is already illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18, but evidence shows disposable vapes – which are cheaper and sold in smaller, more colourful packaging than refillable ones – are driving the rise in youth vaping. In 2021, only 7.7% of current vapers aged 11 to 17 used disposable vapes, but this increased to 52% in 2022 and 69% in 2023. Last year, the Government also announced a ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1 2009. This has angered former prime minister Liz Truss, who said on Sunday the move is “profoundly unconservative”.

Communications Officer at the Institute of Economic Affairs, Reem Ibrahim, says the Government is encouraging smokers with their ban on vapes.