To reduce environmental damage and widespread use by adolescents, disposable vapes will be banned from sale in England next summer — marking a significant move in the global fight against rising youth e-cigarette usage. This decision aligns with growing concerns about the health risks posed by vaping and its increasing popularity among teens.
While vaping has been promoted as a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, studies have shown alarming trends in its adoption among young people. In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2022, 2.55 million middle and high school students had used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days — equating to 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students. Of these, nearly 85% were using flavored e-cigarettes, and over half relied on disposable devices. This suggests marketing strategies like fruity flavors and easy-to-use products have played a significant role in attracting younger users. In 2024 alone, nearly 9 out of 10 middle and high school students who currently use e-cigarettes used a flavored product.
In England, officials have expressed similar concerns about the normalization of vaping among teenagers. The most popular reasons middle and high school students provided for trying an e-cigarette were that a friend used them, they were curious, or a family member used them. As a response, the U.K. government plans to impose strict regulations, including a complete ban on disposable vapes and limitations on flavored e-cigarette products, hoping to reduce their appeal to young users.
At B-CC, the same issue — though on a smaller scale — has developed. Junior Natalie Aiken said, “I have definitely seen [people vaping] in the bathrooms. I do think, though, that probably one-seventh to one-fifth of B-CC vapes.” Even within environments where safety measures such as awareness campaigns, surveillance, and security are in place, the problem remains prevalent.
Aiken said, “I think that it’s good that [England’s] government is trying to lessen the usage of vapes by teens, but I don’t know how much of an impact that will really make.” Her skepticism is not unfounded. Past public health campaigns targeting youth smoking and substance use have had mixed results, even at B-CC. Peer influence, along with the pre-established addiction, often counters governmental efforts to regulate substances like nicotine. Nonetheless, banning vapes entirely, as England has proposed, could send a strong message about the dangers of e-cigarettes and their impact on youth health. Health experts argue that strict policies may reduce access to vaping products and, over time, diminish their appeal.
The potential U.K. ban offers a case study of how U.S. government policies can influence youth behavior. At B-CC, teachers and administrators might find value in integrating these discussions into health education curricula, emphasizing the real-world consequences of vaping and the reasons behind policy decisions.
Critics of the U.K. ban, however, caution against unintended consequences. By restricting legal access to vapes, some worry that teens may turn to unregulated or black-market products, which could be even more dangerous. To mitigate this risk, experts recommend increasing education campaigns and accessible support for nicotine addiction.
As England takes this bold step, the global conversation about vaping intensifies. For young people, parents, and educators, the focus remains on finding effective strategies to combat teen vaping while addressing its root causes. Whether the U.K.’s ban will serve as a model for other nations or face significant failure in implementation remains to be seen.
