Public Health Wales has welcomed the introduction of the ban on single use vapes, which comes into force in Wales and across the UK on Sunday 1 June.  There is a clear consensus among health experts that the availability and marketing of disposable vape products has driven a significant rise in vaping among children and young people, with almost 1 in 6 (16 per cent) year eleven students regularly using vapes and nearly half having tried vaping*.  Most of these young people have never smoked before taking up vaping. 

The Environmental Protection (Single Use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 will address both environmental and health concerns around the proliferation of disposable vapes.  These have offered a cheap, easy to use and widely available product which has been both appealing and easily accessible to children and young people, despite it being illegal to sell nicotine vapes to under-18s, or for adults to buy them for this age group. 

The majority of vapes contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance and regular use can lead to cravings, as well as affecting concentration, memory and the ability to learn.  Withdrawal from nicotine can affect sleep, cause headaches, impact on mental well-being and create mood swings.