Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the move in light of increasing numbers of young people vaping.
It’s a debate that has been developing for a few years, as ministers in the UK, parents and health groups continue to take issue with colourful packaging clearly aimed at younger people.
When Jersey announced the steps it was taking to ban vapes, deputies here responded by suggesting that it would be more difficult in Guernsey. Jersey would push the ban under the Single Use Plastics Law, a singular piece of legislation Guernsey doesn’t have.
However, following the latest announcement from the UK, the Vice-President of the Committee for Health and Social Care, Deputy Tina Bury, said the Committee is working on legislation to regulate the market.
“The Committee for Health & Social Care is committed to improving the health outcomes of Islanders through prevention and health improvement initiatives and is under Resolution of the States to work towards regulation of e-cigarettes, now more commonly known as vapes,” she said.
“The Committee has agreed that it would wish to move towards greater regulation through legislation. Due to their targeted promotion to young people, it would expect the regulation of vapes to include how these products can, or cannot, be promoted, and an age of sale ban to under 18s in the first instance. The Committee is also considering other measures such as a ban on disposable vapes.
“The other Principal Committees are currently being asked for their feedback on the proposals, which will inform the Committee’s policy letter to the States expected to be published later this year.”
Additionally, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, in her role as President of the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure, said: “Minimising single-use and non-recyclable plastic is one of the aims of our Climate Change Action Plan.
“In light of this, we are supportive of the Committee for Health & Social Care’s work towards greater regulation of vapes, especially their consideration of a potential ban on disposable vapes. As well as improving the health of islanders, this will also bring with it environmental benefits, reducing the amount of waste entering the system and our natural environment.”