Mixed Views In Cambridgeshire Over Banning Of Single-Use Vapes

The discussion arose after the government announced a ban on single-use vapes, aiming to reduce their environmental impact.

Many believe that this ban will not only help the environment but also deter youth from vaping.

Annie Jones expressed strong opposition to the existence of vapes altogether, stating “vapes should never have been manufactured in the first place, they are just as addictive.”

Foster Turner highlighted environmental concerns, saying “refillable vapes are better for the environment.

“All those batteries from disposable vapes going to landfill is far more worse than an empty bottle of e-liquid that lasts way longer than any disposable vapes.”

He believes that switching to refillable options could significantly reduce waste.

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The conversation continued with Charles Faulkner, who uses a pod system.

He said: “Getting rid of disposables is the best decision the government have made by a long shot up to now.”

He shared that his refillable pods last about two months before needing replacement.

This sentiment resonated with others, including Helen Melville, who emphasised the need for a shift towards more sustainable options.

She said: “People who want to vape just need to get a refillable vape which I understand are easily available and do pretty much the same thing.”

However, some community members raised concerns about the effectiveness of the ban in truly deterring youth vaping.

Luke Collinson argued against the ban, stating “the type of kids who will get their hands on vapes will just turn to something else”.

Sarah Crowe responded to him, stressing the environmental aspect of the ban.

She said: “It is not about stopping vaping at all, it is about the environmental impact of single-use disposable vapes which get thrown away on the streets.

“This causes litter problems and risk of fire in bins because of the batteries.”

Despite differing opinions, there was a consensus among many that the responsibility lies not only with the government but also with parents and retailers.

Charles Faulkner pointed out that “stores usually have a refusal register, where they can note refusal to sell alcohol, tobacco and other age restricted products”.

He urged that shops must be proactive in verifying ages to prevent underage sales.

Kathy Denniss suggested a more drastic approach, saying “ban all vapes”, while others like Allan Drew argued against that idea, pointing out the financial interests of the government in tobacco and vape sales.

Some believe that banning single-use vapes may create a black market for these products.

Chelsea-louise Hirst expressed concern about this, saying “I think they’re just creating a black market for youth to still get disposable vapes from the wrong people who can put anything in them.”

This worry reflects broader concerns about the implications of banning products without considering alternatives.

As the debate continues, many participants in the discussion have called for greater collaboration between local schools and businesses to address youth vaping more effectively.

Charles Faulkner added: “I think this is a discussion where it would be good to get some input from local schools too – to find out what they’re doing about their students taking vapes into school with them.”

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