Disposable vape ban will lead to 'black market' warns shop owner

It has been reported nationally ministers are said to be drawing up plans to ban disposable vapes.

Disposable vapes are set to be banned to help protect children and following environmental concerns.

But Andrew Connellan, owner of Connect 2 Vapes in Broad Street, Worcester, has criticised the plans. 

Mr Connellan said: "I have never known a product to get so many people off cigarettes. 

"In a way they are the lesser of two evils. 

OWNER: Andrew Connellan, owner of Connect 2 Vapes. (Image: Newsquest)

"If you ban these things you will create a black market, send them underground. 

"It didn't help in America in banning spirits and booze."

Single-use vapes are sold in bright colours, and come in sweet and fruity flavours like pink lemonade, gummy bear and watermelon, which some say shows they are targeted at under 18s.

And a number of leading doctors have called for action to protect the health of children.

"Trading standards should enforce the law already in place," the shop owner said.

READ MORE: Worcester shop owner says he is not surprised more people are 'stress smoking'

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"There are fines up to £2,500 to sell to children. 

"We have signs up, staff are trained and spot fake IDs."

Public waste campaigners warm vapes are toxic and can be damaging to the environment and wildlife if littered.

Mr Connellan said the environmental damage was the one argument he found difficult to argue against as disposable vapes are often only used for one day before being thrown away. 

But he said that was an argument for the use of longer-lasting vapes instead. 

We reported earlier this year that VPZ, the UK’s largest vaping retailer with shops in the Shambles, Worcester, and Bridge Street, Evesham, was giving vapers the opportunity to pop into the shop and dispose of their vapes or e-cigarettes safely.

RECYCLE: Doug Mutter, director of VPZ (Image: VPZ)

The recycling process itself is handled by WasteCare, the UK’s only permitted recycler of portable batteries, who treating them at a plant in West Yorkshire.

Doug Mutter, VPZ director, said at the time: "Any form of littering is unacceptable however the proliferation of disposable vape use has led to single-use devices being discarded in local environments.

“Our partnership with WasteCare responds to this challenge head-on and vapers can come into our network of over 150 stores throughout the country, including Worcester, to recycle their vape devices, both disposable and reusable, in a safe and responsible way."

The Daily Telegraph reported that the decision to ban disposable vapes will be revealed in a consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care.