Disposable vape ban cautiously welcomed by Strabane shop owners

PROPOSED legislation to ban the use of disposable vaping products has been welcomed by two vape shop owners in Strabane.

It was announced on Monday by PM Rishi Sunak that the ban, which is expected to be implemented UK-wide, will also include provisions to prevent vapes marketed at children and to target the selling of the products to under-age users.

Conor Kelly, the owner of Vape Shack on the Melmount Road said he has been expecting the ban. He commented, “This has been coming down the line for some time and it may take some time before it actually becomes law, maybe six months or more, but we knew it would happen eventually and are prepared for the matter.

“I have been speaking with suppliers since the news broke and they were also expecting it and are actively seeking alternatives to the disposable items, with pods and USB ports in their products to make them multi-use. There was no such thing as a disposable vape when we opened three years ago but they’re everywhere now.

“This time last year our sales were vastly in favour of disposable, 90 percent against ten percent, now it’s a fifty-fifty split. We will adapt along with the market.”

Mr Kelly says having disposable vapes ‘looking like toys or a packet of sweets’ doesn’t help the cause of ensuring they don’t fall into the wrong hands. “It’s clear to me that manufacturers of these devices are targeting them at children, with their bright colours and flavoured oils and that has a huge part to play in why they are so attractive to young people although it shouldn’t be forgotten they have a large level of nicotine.”

David McCafferty of Uvape Plus Orchard Scents fears there might be a ‘free for all’ if an outright ban is implemented.

He remarked, “I was a smoker for 25 years and I’ve been a vaper for eight so I can certainly see the benefits of vaping for those seeking to get off smoking. Would I want my daughters doing it? No but the practice is certainly more favourable than cigarettes.

“I can understand why the products would be attractive to younger people because of packaging and flavouring.

“What I would like to see is for the government, manufacturers and vape sellers to get round the table and come up with a plan to ensure that the products are less available and attractive to younger people.

“If an outright ban is implemented, I can see people turning to the black market where products aren’t as tightly regulated in terms of design and content.”