Cumbrian vape sellers question effectiveness of disposable ban

While agreeing that it is the right thing to do in theory, the nuances of the ban could lead to more dire consequences.

The ban on disposable vapes comes as the Government attempts to tackle the rise in young people vaping across the country as well as protecting children’s health. 

This comes following a consultation launched by the Government around smoking and vaping in October last year.

New data shows the number of children vaping in the last three years has tripled, the Government said, with disposable vapes pushing this rise.

Chris Corrieri, who owns Brucciani in Carlisle, which sells vape products, said: “It needs to happen.

“There’s an environmental impact, and it needs to stop the illicit trade of the larger ones which are illegal, but banning something legal probably won’t affect anything.”

He said it will lead to a black market, which operates through various channels, including registered and seemingly legitimate vape shops that sell them under the counter.

These larger disposable products can hold a quantity of roughly 12ml of liquid, equating to thousands of puffs, as opposed to the ones legitimately traded that held fewer millilitres and equated to roughly 600 puffs.

“They’re like three or four times bigger, I’ve seen people use them.”

On how it will affect trade, Mr Corrieri said: “It might even improve business.

“Since the disposables came in, sales of vape kits (also known as mods) dropped off.

“We don’t sell nearly as many as we used to.

“The problem with disposables is the nicotine levels far exceed those (of a kit).

“They have a place if it’s an emergency or you’re going out and don’t want to take a full mod, but these things hold 20mg of nicotine, but they come across smooth because of the added nicotine salts.”

The addition of these salts, which have the effect of reducing the burn or bite feeling from inhaling nicotine, also makes them more accessible to children.

A spokesperson from Vapourtorium in Penrith echoes this: “They should be banned, they’re really strong on nicotine.

Vapourtorium, Penrith (Image: Google)

“I don’t know where they’re getting them from, the biggest ones I’ve seen are 9000 puffs for about £10, that’s why these kids are on them.

“On some, you can charge them before it goes flat so you can get full use out of them.

“Kids come in and you don’t know how old some of them are, you can ask for an ID, but they can carry any ID.

“Our highest nicotine rate is in flavours like tobacco and mint, and we never have more than 18mg.

“We'll try and wean people off than give them the strong stuff, this stuff is even stronger, it's 20mg.

“Vapes should go back to people who want to stop smoking.”

A spokesperson from another Penrith shop who wishes to remain anonymous said: “We don’t agree with (disposable vapes).

“They’re littered all over the street – I walked past ten on the way to work.

“It’s true what they say, they’re marketed towards kids, they’re cheap, and there’s not too much regulation.”

They said the colour of the packaging and sweet flavours attract children.

They shared concern for the consequences of the ban, however: “No matter what, there will be a market for them.

“I know plenty of shops in Carlisle that will sell them under the counter, and illicit drugs are available on the streets, it’s never going to go away, but if Trading Standards did their jobs better maybe we wouldn’t be in this state to begin with.”

They concluded that while this needs to happen, there are avenues online that simply require a button click to gain access to vapes delivered to your door: “Unless things are tightened up online, a difference won’t be made.”