Disposable vapes to be banned in England and Wales

Environmental impact & e‑waste

• Many commenters strongly support the ban, primarily due to e‑waste: tens of millions of small lithium batteries plus plastic and residual nicotine ending up in landfills, streets, and nature.
• Vapes are widely observed as litter “everywhere,” seen as uglier and more prevalent than many other forms of trash.
• Concerns raised about lithium batteries in general waste causing fires in trucks and waste facilities.
• Some highlight the human cost of manufacturing these cheap, complex devices as another hidden externality.
• Comparison with disposable plastic straws: some see it as absurd that single‑use electronics with batteries ever became normal.

Youth use, addiction & health

• Ban is framed by government as “for the children”; commenters note kids routinely vape in school despite existing age restrictions.
• Disposables are attractive to kids: small, easy to hide, potent nicotine salts, strong flavors, no maintenance.
• US vs UK: in the US, disposables often have very high nicotine; UK/EU limits strength and volume, which some say reduces addictiveness.
• Experiences differ: some report vaping worsened lung and respiratory health versus smoking; others insist vaping is still “significantly better” than smoking.
• Discussion of nicotine addiction: one thread attributes cigarette addictiveness partly to MAO‑inhibiting compounds, with “pure” nicotine (e.g., pouches) feeling easier to quit for some.

Policy, bans vs taxes, and freedom

• Some see the ban as obviously right; others question whether targeting a “rounding error” use of metals makes sense compared to bigger sources of waste.
• Debate over whether to ban outright or price in negative externalities via high taxes or deposit/refund schemes.
• Skeptics argue sin taxes often become regressive pseudo‑bans and rarely fund cleanup; supporters say taxes/internalized costs preserve choice.
• Suggested deposit model (like bottle returns) could incentivize collection, but there are questions about recycling cost, funding, and logistics.

Product design, loopholes & usage patterns

• Many disposables already use rechargeable Li‑ion cells; some even include USB charging but remain non‑refillable.
• Concern that exempting “rechargeable or refillable” devices may let manufacturers tweak products and continue near‑disposables.
• Users explain disposables’ popularity: extremely low friction (no coils, no juice bottles, no mess), small size, guaranteed compatibility, and trendy designs.
• Some tinkerers salvage vape batteries for projects and lament the loss of this “free battery” source, while others are appalled by sophisticated electronics and displays being designed for single use.