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Single-use vapes will be banned in Jersey from 2025 after politicians unanimously backed a ministerial proposition.
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said he was bringing forward the plans in collaboration with Environment Minister Steve Luce, putting Jersey in line with – and in some cases ahead of – neighbouring jurisdictions.
Constable Jehan said single-use devices represented a misuse of finite resources and said they "created a waste-stream that is problematic and costly to manage".
The proposals sought to amend existing legislation, implemented in 2022, about single-use plastic items such as bags.
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.
Deputy Inna Gardiner said she was very pleased to see action being taken quickly, expressing concern about recent statistics that showed 58% of pupils in year 12 had tried vaping, and saying that she hoped additional changes might be made in future to achieve further environmental benefit.
Deputy Jonathan Renouf said that if Jersey continued to permit such devices, the island would be in danger of becoming a weak link globally.
"This wouldn't be a good look, and it wouldn't be good for the planet," he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Hilary Jeune said she was very supportive of the move, including for public health reasons.
Deputy Jeune said she also hoped that any attempts by manufacturers to get around the legislation would need to be monitored and subject to further legislative changes if necessary.
Pictured: The report accompanying the proposition shows the inside of a single use vape – which typically includes plastic, copper and a lithium battery.
Assistant Health Minister Andy Howell said the move was a positive one for the health of young islanders who may be attracted by the bright colours and multiple flavours available.
Health Minister Tom Binet also gave his view, and said the potential benefits of vaping as a method of giving up tobacco smoking would need to be borne in mind.
Constable Jehan said that it was intended that communication about the move would seek to "engage, explain and encourage" in the first instance, but that there would also be enforcement through the ability for customs officer to seize devices being imported, with fines of up to £1,000.
The exact point in 2025 when the ban will come in is not yet known – Constable Jehan said this depended on the timing around Royal Assent, after which he would be able to give official notification of the date.
He added that single-use refills, for the purpose of topping up rechargeable or reusable devices, would still be permitted.
Members voted by 45-0 in favour of the move.
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