Calls for a ban on disposable vapes is being backed in Suffolk where concern is growing that their marketing is proving attractive to children.
The Local Government Association is calling for single-use vapes such as Elf Bars and Lost Mary to be banned in the UK within the next few months.
The EU has already proposed a ban in 2026, and France is rolling out a ban in December this year. Now local councils are calling for them to be banned on health and environmental grounds.
Between March 2022 and 2023, about 2,821 disposable vapes were seized in Suffolk by the council for non-compliance with tobacco and related product regulations.
Disposable vapes are designed as one unit which means batteries cannot be separated from the plastic making them almost impossible to recycle.
They can also be flammable, due to the lithium batteries increasing in temperature.
There is also concern that an increasing number of children are starting to vape, despite never having smoked, attracted by the marketing for vapes with their colourful packaging and fruity flavours.
Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for public health and public protection, said: "We support the statement from the LGA.
"While vaping has been shown to be significantly less harmful than smoking and has an important place in helping smokers to quit, especially when used in conjunction with specialist support from a stop smoking service, we too are concerned at the marketing of vaping products particularly to children and young people.
"We would support the call for a comprehensive range of measures to reduce the availability, affordability, accessibility and appeal of vapes, including the ban on disposable vapes, to drive down vaping among those who don’t or have never smoked.
"Smoking continues to be the single largest cause of preventable deaths and ill health and we would encourage people to access stop smoking services either through local or national NHS services."
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