The annual YouGov youth survey for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) carried out in March and published on July 7th, has indicated an increase in teen vaping and experimentation via disposable vapes.
Current vaping among U.K. children aged 11-17 was up from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022, reported the survey. While the percentage of teens who reported ever having tried vaping has increased from 14% in 2020 to 16% in 2022. In line with other reports, the survey found that disposable vapes are currently the most commonly used types of devices, with a concerning increase from 7% in 2020 and 8% n 2021, to 52% in 2022.
The survey reiterated that Elf Bar and Geek Bar are the most popular brands, with only 30% reporting having tried other brands. In fact over the past year has been an increasing concern about the growing circulation of the products.
Making disposables less affordable would benefit the environment
To this effect, the Department of Health and Social Care has been pushing for the new tax, and such proposals are expected to be included in the Government’s response to the Khan Review on smoking. Similarly Deborah Arnott, chief executive of health charity ASH, recently said that such a tax should be enforced in order to tackle the negative impact disposable products have on the environment. “Increasing the tax on single use disposable vapes in the March Budget would be easy to do and by making them less affordable could reduce both child vaping and the vast quantities of single use vapes being thrown into landfill”.
“Adult smokers find vaping useful in helping them quit, and that’s something we support. However, in the light of the recent increase in child vaping, Government action is urgently needed to tighten regulation and increase enforcement,” she added.
However, treasury sources have reported that a new levy will not be included in what is expected to be a slimmed down Budget on March 15th. “Department of Health officials are keen, but it’s not going to happen,” said a source as quoted by i.