Animal lovers in Essex are being urged by the RSPCA to ensure their local Member of Parliament helps push through a potential ban on disposable vapes.
Amid recent welcome reports suggesting that the UK Government could announce a ban on disposable vapes in England, the RSPCA wants MPs to ensure this momentum continues. The impact on animals from these toxic and dangerous items is a growing concern for the charity’s officers on the frontline.
RSPCA data shows that between 2020 and 2022, 10,482 calls about litter-affected animals were made to the charity’s emergency line, and it is believed vapes have been contributing to the problem.
Essex’s general litter problem – which potentially includes vapes – appears to be particularly serious as the number of reports from the county about litter-affected animals were amongst the country’s highest (366) during that three year period.
Shockingly, the number of disposable vapes being discarded each week has reportedly increased to five million – with research from Material Focus also revealing that three percent of UK vapers admit they drop single-use vapes on the ground. As such, the RSPCA fears that animals have never been more at risk from these items.
RSPCA campaigns manager Carrie Stones said: “Discarded disposable vapes pose a threat to the environment, pets, farm animals and wildlife, and animal lovers can help speed up a ban on them by putting pressure on their MP.
“Too many single-use vapes are simply being tossed away in our communities and the infrastructure for recycling these vapes just isn’t widely available. Animals could be in danger by ingesting liquid from discarded, disposable vapes; while devices left on the ground can also impact habitats.”
A survey from the charity – as part of its #VexedAboutVapes campaign – showed 94% of respondents supported a ban on disposable vapes.
Carrie added: “Our survey found that more than 90 percent of respondents were concerned about the impact disposable vapes have on both the environment and wildlife.
“More than seven in ten people also said they’d found discarded disposable vapes – highlighting how widespread this litter is, and the potential threat to animals.
“We want to keep the topic of banning disposable vapes at the forefront of the UK Government’s agenda and the public can really help. By putting pressure on their MPs, we’ll hopefully soon be seeing a ban implemented in England by the UK Government.”
The RSPCA is also calling on the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure any ban extends to Wales, too. While public health and wildlife protection are devolved matters, and the Welsh Government previously tried to ban the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed and public places, Welsh Ministers have suggested they do not have the devolved power to introduce an outright ban on disposable vapes.
In Scotland, the Scottish Government is currently consulting on a ban.
