A senior Member of Parliament in the UK is calling for the prohibition of “Monster vape” kits that are equivalent to over 8,000 cigarettes in puff-power.
Dr Beccy Cooper, a public health doctor and Labour MP, is urging for stricter regulations under the Tobacco & Vapes Bill to address the sale of 100,000-puff vape kits that exploit legal loopholes in the UK market.
These kits have gained popularity following the Government’s ban on disposable vapes last year and are raising concerns due to their high puff capacity.
Dr Cooper emphasized that the availability of devices marketed as providing tens of thousands of puffs poses significant public health risks and contradicts existing regulations on tank sizes and disposable vapes.
She stressed the importance of closing regulatory gaps through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to ensure that such ultra-high-puff products are not accessible in the UK market, as they hinder efforts towards a smoke-free environment.
Campaigners have raised concerns about manufacturers circumventing regulations by incorporating multiple 2ml tanks in a single vape, exceeding the permitted nicotine e-liquid capacity in the UK.
Prior to the ban on disposable vapes, studies revealed a significant market share for mega-puff devices, with millions of sales weekly. Furthermore, there was a noticeable increase in the sales of vaping products claiming to offer over 600 puffs between June and October last year.
Material Focus, an advocate for circular economies, has warned about the cost-effectiveness of “big puff” vapes compared to disposable alternatives and their adverse environmental impact.
The 100,000-puff vape kits, available in various flavors, meet reuse criteria but have raised concerns about their potential to discourage reusability among users, contradicting the purpose of the disposable vape ban.
Vaping has been promoted as a smoking cessation aid, although long-term effects remain uncertain. Health experts caution against vaping for non-smokers and children.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently progressing through the House of Lords, aims to prevent individuals born after 2009 from purchasing cigarettes.
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