A ban on disposable vapes would be a gift to the illegal market, warns World Vapers’ Alliance

The World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA) has slammed the Labour Party’s proposal to ban disposable vapes.

It has warned that such a “misguided” policy could undermine public health efforts and hit the most vulnerable hardest.

Michael Landl director of the World Vapers’ Alliance explained that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan to ban disposable vapes is a direct attack on harm reduction and will hurt the very people labour claims to protect.

“By making it harder for smokers to switch to safer alternatives, this policy is a gift to the illegal market. It’s disgraceful that a Labour government would push a policy that hits the poor the most, effectively taking away a vital tool that helps them quit smoking,” Landl stated.

The WVA also stressed that the ban could reverse years of progress in reducing smoking rates in the UK.

It referenced research from UCL and King’s College London warning that such a ban could slow the decline in smoking prevalence, putting the health of 2.6 million people at risk.

“This isn’t just a step backwards; it’s a reckless move that could push current vapers back to smoking or into the illegal market, worsening health inequalities and jeopardising the health of millions,” Landl added.