PUFF POLICE
Disposable vapes could be BANNED under Keir Starmer’s plans to crackdown on their use after smoking axed in pub gardens
It comes as furious drinkers have torn into Labour’s plans to ban outdoor smoking
A BAN on disposable vapes could be next under Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial smoking clampdown.
Labour Ministers are considering whether to keep plans drawn up by Rishi Sunak to outlaw the single-use puffers.
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They are widely feared to be used illegally by kids due to their bright packaging and fruity flavours.
Sir Keir already vowed in his election manifesto to prevent vape companies using such branding that appeals to children.
But now he is reportedly also looking at banning disposable vapes outright, having previously backed the Tory idea.
A government source told the Telegraph: “Ministers are currently reviewing options on whether we want to progress a ban on disposable vapes.”
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Yesterday Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell said Labour wanted to tackle the “scourge of vaping”.
Michael Landl, Director of the World Vapers’ Alliance, said: "Sir 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."
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The NHS encourages the use of vaping as a tool to get smokers to quit, and therefore a total ban is highly unlikely.
The PM previously backed a disposable vapes ban, saying: “I support the banning of disposable vapes, not least because of the impact they have on children.”
Prison Fires Surge Due to Vapes
It comes as furious drinkers have torn into Labour’s plans to ban outdoor smoking.
An exclusive Sun poll reveals 60 per cent think the controversial move raises the risk of wiping out the nation’s locals.
More than half say cops will be wasting resources enforcing any ban.
TV star and landlord James May said: “I can’t imagine it’s of any benefit to humankind to say people can’t smoke in the pub garden.”
Landlords face a greater risk of going bust, 60 per cent of punters believe.
A quarter say the move will make no difference, and 12 per cent insist stubbing it out outside will help their business.
Our poll also shows voters rank such a ban at the bottom of a list priorities for the new government — behind the cost of living, the NHS, immigration, crime and reaching Net Zero.
The Sun last week revealed PM Sir Keir Starmer’s desire to ban outdoor puffing.
Landlords, already reeling from the Covid and energy costs crises, were quick to warn of catastrophic consequences for the sector.
Commons Leader Lucy Powell yesterday insisted the Government was not attacking the hospitality industry and that the clampdown would not damage growth.
She insisted: “We support hospitality. It’s vital to communities, our high street, our economy.”
Pro-smoking group Forest hit back: “It’s an attack on adult smokers . . . and hospitality will inevitably take a significant hit. It’s not rocket science.”
Smoking vs. vaping
VAPING has been touted as an effective tool to help people quit smoking.
Though vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, the habit isn't completely harmless and comes with its own set of risks.
The NHS only recommends it for adult smokers, to support quitting smoking.
GP and author Dr Philippa Kaye explained to The Sun that the differences between vaping and smoking - and whether one is better than the other - is "complicated".
"In a nutshell, vaping is better than smoking, but breathing air is better than vaping at all."
Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins - and at lower levels - than smoking cigarettes.
Switching to vaping significantly reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke.
These diseases are not caused by nicotine, which is relatively harmless to health. But research has still linked vaping to a higher risk of failure and lung disease.
Health risks of cigarettes
- Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer
- Smokers are at greater risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels
- Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs
- Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body
- It affects overall health too, such as your mouth, eyes, immune system and fertility
Health risks of vaping
- They can cause side effects such as throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough and feeling sick
- They could lead to tooth decay
- They could damage heart health
- They could cause lung disease
- They could slow brain development
Read more on how vaping can affect your health here.
Sources: NHS, CDC
Our poll of 1,032 Brits by Charlesbye Strategy also shows that 52 per cent DO support a pub garden smoking ban, with 30 per cent opposed and 17 per cent neutral.
Given the option to have designated smoking and non-smoking areas, 41 per cent were in favour, with 29 per cent wanting a full ban and 26 per cent for the status quo.
And 52 per cent said it would be inappropriate for police to waste resources policing an outdoor ban, compared to 27 per cent who think it would be appropriate.
Grand Tour host James May, who owns a pub in Wiltshire, told Times Radio yesterday: “It’s ridiculous meddling.
"I can’t imagine it’s of any benefit to humankind, really, to say people can’t smoke outside in the pub garden.
“I think governments on the whole should leave pubs alone.
“They’re having a hard enough time as it is. If a few people like the chef, or a few customers want to go out the back to have a crafty fag then I’m very happy with that idea.”
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The outdoor ban would also cover restaurant terraces, kids’ parks and outside stadiums.
It was not in Labour’s manifesto — and 43.4 per cent in our poll believe Sir Keir should implement only what was in his election pledge.
Just 14 per cent think he should be able to go further. A third were neutral.
A government spokesman said: “Smoking and second- hand smoking costs the NHS billions a year.
“Sickness has forced almost three billion out of work and on to welfare.
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“Unless we take action, taxpayers and the NHS will pay the price.
“As Lucy Powell said, we will consult extensively on any changes to the bill.”
The 4 horrifying things that can happen to your body after vaping
VAPES were once hailed as miracle devices to help adults ditch cigarettes.
But while the devices don't carry the same risks as tobacco, experts have warned that vaping might not be so harmless after all.
Here are five ways vaping could damage young users bodies:
1. It could slow down brain development
Vaping nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under the age of 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It said that nicotine consumed during teenage years can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, as well as increase the risk of addiction.
2. It could lead to tooth decay
Dr Michael Heffernan, a dentist at The Wessex Dental Specialist Care, said most vapes contain dangerous chemical that can harm your teeth and lead to decay.
Puffing on the devices could also lead to mouth dryness, creating an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow.
3. It could damage heart health
However, some of the chemicals found in vapes can be damaging to the heart, with the American Heart Association (AHA) stating that vaping is "as harmful to the body's cardiovascular systems as cigarettes".
4. It could cause lung disease
Vaping from a young age could leave children with breathing difficulties, with paediatric respiratory consultant Dr Mike McKean saying he'd seen reports of people developing lung disease related to vaping.
Researchers from the US also found that young people who vape are more at risk of bronchitis, inflammation of the airways, and shortness of breath.
Read more on how vaping can affect your health here.
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