The United Kingdom has enacted a nationwide ban on single-use vapes, targeting a surge in underage vaping and the growing environmental damage from the devices’ improper disposal.

Pan Pylas reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• As of June 1, retailers across the U.K. can no longer sell disposable vapes, regardless of nicotine content, though reusable options remain legal.
• The government estimates five million single-use vapes are discarded weekly, many improperly, leading to hazardous chemical leaks and battery fires in waste systems.
• Violators face fines or jail time, but vape industry representatives warn the ban could drive consumers to unregulated or more harmful alternatives.

Key quote:

“We are concerned that this ban will encourage former smokers who have already transitioned from cigarettes, which kill 220 people every day in the U.K, to return to combustible tobacco or opt for unregulated vapes.”

— John Dunne, director general of the U.K. Vaping Industry Association

Why this matters:

The ban on disposable vapes shines a spotlight on the intersection of youth health, environmental pollution, and consumer product regulation. These sleek, colorful devices — often flavored and marketed in ways that appeal to teens — have flooded schools and streets across the U.K., leading to addiction concerns and a trail of toxic litter. Unlike refillable e-cigarettes, disposable vapes are tossed after a single use, often ending up in landfills or public spaces, where their batteries can catch fire and leak heavy metals and other harmful chemicals. Wildlife, waste workers, and water systems all face risks from this form of plastic pollution. Meanwhile, the vaping industry contends with fears that restrictions could push people toward illicit products. As other countries debate similar crackdowns, the U.K.’s move may set a precedent.

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