Scottish e-cigarette retailer VPZ has warned that “Big Gulp” disposable vapes have avoided the impending ban on disposable vapes by adding surface charging and re-charging capabilities. The Scottish Government and relevant health experts have called for stronger laws and regulations to tackle the issue.
“Big Gulp” Rush into the UK market
According to the Daily Record on July 24, a Scottish vape retailer warned that the new “Big Gulp” disposable vapes are designed to avoid a ban on disposable vapes.
Edinburgh-based chain VPZ said the “control-avoiding” vape devices had flooded the UK market ahead of next spring’s ban.
The retailer said the “Big Gulp” vapes carry six times the amount of e-liquid than standard disposable vapes. These vapes are taking advantage of a loophole in new laws and regulations by adding surface rechargeability and re-chargeability.
Vape retailers say they circumvent the ban
Director Doug Mutter, VPZ, who supports the disposable vape ban, warned that the rise of this new breed of disposable vapes could “set back all the progress we’ve made to date.”
- “We condemn these ‘Big Gulp’ vapes because we firmly believe they undermine our goals and are poised to create a public health crisis as unregulated goods flood the market.”
Various versions of ‘large puff count’ disposable vapes have infiltrated the UK market ahead of the ban next April.
While the batteries in these devices can often be recharged via a USB port. These large-vape-count vapes have non-replaceable coils, just like traditional disposable vapes, so they remain effectively disposable.
Gillian Mackay, the Green MEP who was an early advocate of the “Ban Disposable vapes” campaign. Vowed to do all she could to ensure that Scotland’s ban was “watertight”.
And Mundt warned that the rise of “big-breath” vapes could undermine efforts to clean up vape litter and control underage inhalation.
He explained that the new disposable vapes are usually supplied with an additional 10 milliliters of e-liquid cartridges and a standard 2 milliliters of vapes built in. It is an attempt to design the device so that it technically meets the regulatory standards of “rechargeable” and “rechargeable”.
At the recent UK vape Expo, Mundt said that 95% of exhibitors used some form of “large puff” disposable device.
The data shows that now more than ever, the UK government needs to intervene to support trading standards and local authorities to tackle the scale of the ‘big puff’ epidemic.
- “At VPZ we have taken action to try and curb the environmental problems caused by disposable vapes and last year launched our innovative vape recycling service in all our stores. We strongly believe that this innovative service and intervention is particularly important in tackling emerging environmental issues and educating vape customers on the long-term financial benefits of using reusable products.”
- “We urge the industry and regulators to work better together to address this issue quickly and ensure that these vapes do not flood the UK market and jeopardize the progress made in quitting smoking so far.”
- “The VPZ fully supports a UK government ban on disposable vapes in 2025, but to properly address this industry issue. It is important to strengthen the implementation of current laws and regulations and revise current standards.”
While the ban is fully enforced in the UK. Scotland has already issued separate Bill regulations stating that disposable vapes can no longer be added. All vapes that cannot be recharged, or both.
It goes on to define the criteria for both, saying that “non-rechargeable” means vapes that do not contain a “disposable vessel that can be used and replaced independently” and do not include containers that can be recharged by the user. It says “non-rechargeable” means designed with “non-rechargeable batteries” or “coils that cannot be purchased separately and cannot be replaced”.
McKay said she was committed to ensuring that Scotland’s ban did not leave any loopholes. She told the media.
- “Shockingly, but unsurprisingly, vape companies have tried to find ways to avoid the ban before it came into force. They have openly tried to repackage disposable vapes to keep selling to young people.”
- “I am determined to demand a loophole-free ban in Scotland that completely removes all disposable vapes…”
Sheila Duffy Scotland, ASH health charity, said
- “It is important that laws and regulations can cope with the emergence of new products. The Scottish Government must be alert to any attempts to undermine the goal of protecting public health and the environment and take action to close loopholes that could be exploited.”
A government spokesman said.
- “Because so-called ‘large puff count’ e-cigarettes include non-replaceable coils. These e-cigarettes will be considered as single-use under the current proposed legislation in front of the Scottish Parliament and are scheduled to come into force on April 1, 2025.”
