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Original poster

Vapes should be taxed to cover the millions it costs to dispose of them

70 replies

TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 08:45

Vapes. Causing fires in waste disposal. Cost millions to dispose of safely due to their fire risk.

So add tax to them to cover the costs

OP posts:
AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 09/09/2025 11:57

MaloryJones · 09/09/2025 08:52

Oh Jog on.

What? That's for overly pedantic protests.

The OP's point is really valid here. A billion pounds? Presumably WE pay that, through council taxes (which have increased hugely in recent years); the non-vaping public, supplementing those who do.

In any case, this industry is an environmental plague. I'd like international governments to find a way of banning any product that is not 90% either recyclable or harmless after 5 years of being deposited in landfill. Or something like that anyway. Get back to expensive, but longer life products.

Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 11:50

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 11:06

Please can we not start with the dangerous misinformation yet again?

'The key points about vaping (e-cigarettes) can be easily summarised. If you smoke, vaping is much safer; if you don’t smoke, don’t vape'

Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England

https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/addressing-common-myths-about-vaping-putting-the-evidence-in-context

Show quote history

Im not starting anything, just asked for links to what another poster claimed.

OP posts:
Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 11:49

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:55

'The actual vape things'?

I use a device that comes without batteries in it. I buy batteries separately - standard 18650 Li-ion batteries which have a variety of uses besides vaping. I use tanks which I bought separately quite a few years ago now. I buy drip tips separately. I make my own coils from kanthal wire which, again, has a variety of non-vape related uses.

Which is 'the actual vape thing'?

Show quote history

You sound unusual amongst vape users. Ive seen lots vape and throw, going by the floor near pubs and clubs, shops etc. Wish more were like you!

OP posts:
Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 11:46

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:55

'The actual vape things'?

I use a device that comes without batteries in it. I buy batteries separately - standard 18650 Li-ion batteries which have a variety of uses besides vaping. I use tanks which I bought separately quite a few years ago now. I buy drip tips separately. I make my own coils from kanthal wire which, again, has a variety of non-vape related uses.

Which is 'the actual vape thing'?

Show quote history

I don't vape. I just see them littered around the place. Read a few articles on the fires vapes are causing and how concerning it is. Fire on a plane possible?

Also read the cost of disposal for not only disposable ones but all of them. Hence the questions. Shame a different means of getting flavoured liquid into lungs couldn't be invented that is more friendly to the environment and less problematic for fir starting.

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 09/09/2025 11:30

Vapes should only ever have been available from pharmacies as an aid to stopping smoking. Now a whole industry has sprung up around them. They are big business.

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 11:24

DdraigGoch · 09/09/2025 10:44

I'd sooner ban them outright. Or at least make them available only to ex-smokers as a means of quitting. The rate that kids are using them is a public health crisis waiting to happen.

You'll be pleased to know that rates of vaping among children have levelled off over the past couple of years. The vast majority of children who vape are, like adult vapers, smokers or ex-smokers.

Unfortunately the rate of smoking among young people has increased. That's the real public health crisis.

It's an entirely predictable result of persistently lying to people and convincing them that vaping is as harmful or more harmful than smoking.

https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-great-britain

dodobedo · 09/09/2025 11:07

Vapes are already taxed. Were you unaware?

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 11:06

TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:45

Do you have any links to danger linked to vaping? I don't disagree or agree, just wondered what latest research showed. Although, I cannot imagine inhaling the chemicals used to flavour and scent them are any good though.

Show quote history

Please can we not start with the dangerous misinformation yet again?

'The key points about vaping (e-cigarettes) can be easily summarised. If you smoke, vaping is much safer; if you don’t smoke, don’t vape'

Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England

https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/addressing-common-myths-about-vaping-putting-the-evidence-in-context

Vapes should be taxed to cover the millions it costs to dispose of them
PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:55

TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:43

Yes agree, disposal vapes were a mistake and bad for the environment. Recycling and reuse should be cheaper. I proposed it on on the actual vape things. It would be cheaper then. Obviously not if on liquid.

Show quote history

'The actual vape things'?

I use a device that comes without batteries in it. I buy batteries separately - standard 18650 Li-ion batteries which have a variety of uses besides vaping. I use tanks which I bought separately quite a few years ago now. I buy drip tips separately. I make my own coils from kanthal wire which, again, has a variety of non-vape related uses.

Which is 'the actual vape thing'?

sophiecygnet · 09/09/2025 10:53

Could we ban them?

Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:46

DdraigGoch · 09/09/2025 10:44

I'd sooner ban them outright. Or at least make them available only to ex-smokers as a means of quitting. The rate that kids are using them is a public health crisis waiting to happen.

The pretty colours and smells appear to be aimed at children... bubblegum?

OP posts:
Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:45

millymollymoomoo · 09/09/2025 10:43

Vapes are the scourge on society. So much damage to young teens, more addictive than cigarettes, more dangerous latest research suggesting, plus of course the waste and disposal. 💯 support massive taxes on them… that should go to nhs

Do you have any links to danger linked to vaping? I don't disagree or agree, just wondered what latest research showed. Although, I cannot imagine inhaling the chemicals used to flavour and scent them are any good though.

OP posts:
DdraigGoch · 09/09/2025 10:44

I'd sooner ban them outright. Or at least make them available only to ex-smokers as a means of quitting. The rate that kids are using them is a public health crisis waiting to happen.

millymollymoomoo · 09/09/2025 10:43

Vapes are the scourge on society. So much damage to young teens, more addictive than cigarettes, more dangerous latest research suggesting, plus of course the waste and disposal. 💯 support massive taxes on them… that should go to nhs

Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:43

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:42

How do you work that out if the tax is on eliquid?

Show quote history

Yes agree, disposal vapes were a mistake and bad for the environment. Recycling and reuse should be cheaper. I proposed it on on the actual vape things. It would be cheaper then. Obviously not if on liquid.

OP posts:
PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:42

TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:40

The ones who use more batteries would pay more tax if it was on product, since you don't buy much you wouldn't be penalised anywhere near the ones who buy lots.

Show quote history

How do you work that out if the tax is on eliquid?

Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:42

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:25

It's only been a couple of months so of course there are still a lot in circulation. As the BBC article says, 'large stocks of disposables were sold off at reduced prices before the ban came into force.'

Disposable vapes have been an environmental disaster, not least because they have encouraged the attitude that it's reasonable to dispose of perfectly good rechargeable Li-Ion batteries after a single use, when looked after properly they can be recharged up to 500 times before they begin to lose performance.

It'll take time for attitudes to change back to how they were before.

Whatever pricing structure and taxes we end up with it must be made cheaper to recharge and refill than to dispose of the vape after a single use. Even more importantly it must remain cheaper to vape than to smoke.

Show quote history

Yes agree, disposal vapes were a mistake and bad for the environment. Recycling and reuse should be cheaper

OP posts:
Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 10:40

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:36

If the problem is battery disposal then tax the batteries (ALL Li-Ion batteries) not the liquid. Or introduce hefty fines for improper disposal.

I'm a vaper, I've never used a disposable. I use several batteries on rotation and generally get 2-3 years use out of them before recycling reponsibly. Why should I be penalised for the irresponsible behaviour of others?

Show quote history

The ones who use more batteries would pay more tax if it was on product, since you don't buy much you wouldn't be penalised anywhere near the ones who buy lots.

OP posts:
PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:36

TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 08:58

Thanks for this. Good news. Hopefully this will be used towards disposal costs?

Show quote history

If the problem is battery disposal then tax the batteries (ALL Li-Ion batteries) not the liquid. Or introduce hefty fines for improper disposal.

I'm a vaper, I've never used a disposable. I use several batteries on rotation and generally get 2-3 years use out of them before recycling reponsibly. Why should I be penalised for the irresponsible behaviour of others?

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 10:25

TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 09:47

Indeed, but people still use them, also people throw away refillable vapes too, the problem hasn't improved as per the article.

Show quote history

It's only been a couple of months so of course there are still a lot in circulation. As the BBC article says, 'large stocks of disposables were sold off at reduced prices before the ban came into force.'

Disposable vapes have been an environmental disaster, not least because they have encouraged the attitude that it's reasonable to dispose of perfectly good rechargeable Li-Ion batteries after a single use, when looked after properly they can be recharged up to 500 times before they begin to lose performance.

It'll take time for attitudes to change back to how they were before.

Whatever pricing structure and taxes we end up with it must be made cheaper to recharge and refill than to dispose of the vape after a single use. Even more importantly it must remain cheaper to vape than to smoke.

Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 09:48

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 09:27

Everyone should be aware of the dangers of Li-Ion batteries if improperly treated or disposed of because they're in all sorts of things. Every rechargeable device you own will have one in.

On a thread recently some anti-vaping zealot suggested to OP she should smash her DD's vape with a hammer!

I agree they need disposal of correctly and safely. It costs millions hence a tax to cover that.

OP posts:
Original poster
TreesTreesBeesBees · 09/09/2025 09:47

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 09:20

Disposable vapes have been banned since 1st of June.

Indeed, but people still use them, also people throw away refillable vapes too, the problem hasn't improved as per the article.

OP posts:
PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 09:27

Everyone should be aware of the dangers of Li-Ion batteries if improperly treated or disposed of because they're in all sorts of things. Every rechargeable device you own will have one in.

On a thread recently some anti-vaping zealot suggested to OP she should smash her DD's vape with a hammer!

LittleAlexHornesPocket · 09/09/2025 09:27

Jitterbuggs · 09/09/2025 08:55

That and a deposit to encourage recycling.

This is such a good idea. But for some reason we can't even get a decent bottle deposit scheme going in England. I wish our government would be more creative!

PencilsInSpace · 09/09/2025 09:20

Disposable vapes have been banned since 1st of June.