New UK Legislation Impacting Young People: Disposable Vapes Banned Nationwide
Since the UK-wide ban on disposable vapes was implemented on June 1, the drug education charity, the DSM Foundation, has been closely following its impact on young people. As young people have been cited as the biggest users of single-use vapes, the foundation is concerned about the potential consequences for this demographic.
Although it may take a few months to fully understand the effects of the new legislation, the DSM Foundation has gathered insights from their recent survey of over 4,000 15-18 year olds conducted since September 2024. The survey revealed that vapes were considered the most acceptable substance among young people, with over half stating that they are “OK to use regularly.” Interestingly, when asked which substances cause the most problems among their peers, nearly 80% of respondents listed vapes as an answer.
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, founder and director of the DSM Foundation, commented on the potential impact of the ban, stating, “We have yet to see how the ban on disposables will affect vape use among young people. While it may discourage some from continuing or starting, it could also lead others to purchase single-use vapes from illegal sources or switch to refillables. Both options pose risks, with the former giving young people access to unregulated products and the latter potentially exposing them to drugs other than nicotine. This concern, particularly the potential increase in exposure to the highly potent and dangerous drug Spice, has prompted us to work with the University of Bath to develop training for school and college staff to raise awareness of this issue.”
The DSM Foundation is also concerned that young people may turn to alternative forms of nicotine delivery, as their survey showed high awareness and possibly prevalence of nicotine pouches among 15-18 year olds. This is concerning as the acceptability of nicotine pouches is more mixed, with roughly one-third of respondents deeming them “not OK to use” and a significant number considering them a problem among their peers.
As a charity that works extensively in schools and colleges to educate young people about drugs and alcohol, the DSM Foundation will continue to gather insights from students and data sources. This allows the charity to address the real issues faced by young people and be knowledgeable on the ever-changing landscape of drugs, decisions, and young people.
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The DSM Foundation is a drug education charity established in 2014 after the accidental overdose of 16-year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs. His family established the charity to provide young people with relevant, evidence-based information about drugs so they can make informed and safe choices. The charity currently works with almost 750 schools, colleges, and community organizations, providing workshops for parents and caregivers and training for school and college staff. Educational settings can access “I Love You Mum, I Promise I Won’t Die,” a play commissioned by the foundation to tell Daniel’s story, and download free, age-appropriate, and evidence-based drugs education resources from their website.
For more information about the DSM Foundation, please visit https://www.dsmfoundation.org.uk/.
Media inquiries regarding this press release or the work of the DSM Foundation should be directed to media@dsmfoundation.org.uk.
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