European nations are becoming increasingly serious about cracking down on smoking and vaping, especially among young people. Belgium has become the first country in the European Union to outright ban the sale of disposable vapes starting this month. At the same time, Italy’s Milan also ushered in the new year by implementing a ban on outdoor smoking in public spaces.

As reported by The Guardian, Belgian health minister Frank Vandenbroucke didn’t mince words when announcing the prohibition last year, calling disposable e-cigarettes an “extremely harmful” product designed to hook a new generation on nicotine. He cited the waste from the non-reusable vapes as being packed with “hazardous chemicals” that damage the environment.

  • FireRetardant@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    34
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    4 days ago

    Both reasons are valid. Reducing nicotine use and reducing hazardous waste that is difficult to recycle.

    • DosDude👾@retrolemmy.com
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      14
      arrow-down
      10
      ·
      4 days ago

      If tobacco products are not banned, don’t ban vapes. Vape is a less harmful alternative to tobacco products.

      • FireRetardant@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        30
        ·
        4 days ago

        They didn’t flat out ban vapes, they banned disposable vapes. You can still get the refillable vapes and e-juice for them.

        Its like a single use bag ban. You can still bring your reusable bag to the store and use it, they won’t be giving you any dispoable bags though.