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A scrutiny panel has "strongly urged" politicians to support a ban on single-use vapes in Jersey next year – but has raised "future questions" on the "potential to extend bans for health reasons".
The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel welcomed the Infrastructure Minister's plans to extend the island's existing legislation around single-use plastics to include disposable e-cigarettes.
Constable Andy Jehan lodged the proposition earlier this year to "address the environmental impact of single use vapes".
Pictured: Single-use vapes could be banned in Jersey next year under plans proposed by the Infrastructure Minister.
It is set to be debated in the States Assembly this month.
If approved, a six-month transition period will be offered to allow businesses to manage remaining stock, with full enforcement expected by mid-2025.
The proposed ban comes in response to a rapid increase in the popularity of disposable vapes, particularly among young islanders, with Public Health statistics revealing that 96% of local children and young people who vape opt for single-use vapes.
Recent engagements with Jersey students found that in a group of 15 to 17-year-olds, the daily vaping use was 81.25%.
The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel said that the proposed ban is a "positive move" in tackling the take up of nicotine use among young people, rather than adult users who already use nicotine products.
Pictured: Last year, a joint investigation by Express and the JEP revealed that local shops were selling vapes that would be illegal in the UK.
The Panel added: "The removal of disposable vapes from the market does also seem to have been weighed to ensure that those users who are using vapes as the first line to stopping smoking still have access to products.
"Refillable and re-useable vapes will remain available and Help to Quit Services remain in place."
The Scrutiny Panel also praised the proposed ban as being "based on a sound environmental principle" with "additional societal benefits" – but noted that there are "future questions to be raised on the potential to extend bans for health reasons".
It added: "It is the Panel’s hope that, as and when the Government explores options for potential taxation of vapes or widening regulation which focuses on the public health impact of nicotine products more generally, this will receive appropriate scrutiny at that time."
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