LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce plans on Monday to ban the sale of disposable vapes to prevent their use by children, and reiterate the government's intention to introduce a law preventing younger generations from buying tobacco.
Under the new powers, there would be restrictions on vape flavours, a requirement for plain packaging, and changes to how vapes, or e-cigarettes, are displayed to make them less attractive to children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said in December all vape flavours should be banned.
"That is why I am taking bold action to ban disposable vapes – which have driven the rise in youth vaping – and bring forward new powers to restrict vape flavours, introduce plain packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops."
The government says that along with the health benefits, the ban on disposable vapes would help the environment, with five million thrown away each week.
Persons:
Rishi Sunak, Sunak, vaping, Michael Holden, Bernadette Baum
Organizations:
British, World Health Organization, WHO, Vaping Industry Association