The Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA) Position on Disposable Vaping products is based on the need for pragmatic, risk-proportionate regulations that protect public health while ensuring the availability of these products for adult smokers seeking less harmful alternatives to combustible tobacco.
- Availability and Regulation of Disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes should be made available to adult consumers as part of a comprehensive tobacco harm reduction strategy. However, they should be subject to the same controls and regulations as other nicotine-containing products to minimize the risk of misuse and youth access.
To achieve this, it is essential to enforce strict age restrictions on the sale of disposable vapes, ensuring that retailers only sell these products to individuals of legal age. Retailers must also be required to register their products and comply with all relevant regulations to maintain a responsible and transparent market.
- Recycling Requirements for Retailers
In addition to age restrictions and product registration, retailers selling disposable vapes should be legally required to participate in a recycling program for these devices. This can be achieved by implementing a deposit system at the point of sale, where customers pay an additional fee that is refunded upon returning the used device for recycling.
This deposit can then be used as a credit towards the customer’s next purchase, incentivising the return of used devices and reducing the likelihood of underage individuals collecting and returning devices for cash.
By implementing a recycling program, retailers can play an active role in reducing the environmental impact of disposable vapes and promoting responsible disposal practices among their customers. In countries that have existing recycling regulations, we support enforcement of these requirements.
Disposable vapes have a role to play in tobacco harm reduction efforts, but their availability and use must be regulated and monitored to protect public health. By implementing age restrictions, product registration, and recycling requirements, CAPHRA believes we can ensure that disposable vapes are accessible to adult smokers seeking less harmful alternatives.