LONDON

The sale of disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales beginning in June next year, according to authorities, as part of an initiative to protect children's health and address environmental concerns.

The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) highlighted a significant rise in vape usage, with the number of people using the products increasing by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023.

Currently, around 9% of the British public buy and use vapes, with a growing number of users who have never smoked, driven mainly by young adults.

The Welsh government also confirmed it will align with Britain’s​​​​​​​ timeline for the ban.

UK Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said that banning disposable vapes will help curb the appeal of vaping for young people and prevent the products from falling into the hands of vulnerable youth.

"The government will also introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – the biggest public health intervention in a generation – which will protect young people from becoming hooked on nicotine and pave the way for a smoke-free UK," he said.

Vaping is recognized as being far less harmful than smoking, but its long-term health effects remain unknown, according to the National Health Service.

Currently, it is illegal to sell vapes to those under the age of 18, but disposable vapes have been particularly popular with young people, raising concerns for health officials.