Seven major European associations jointly call for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes in Europe by the end of 2024
Recently, according to Recyclingportal, seven major associations, including the European Waste Treatment and Resource Utilization Association (FEAD), the European Waste Energy Plant Association (CEWEP), the European Electrical and Electronic Recycling Association (EBRA), the European Recycling Industry Alliance (EuRIC), the European Glass Processing Association (FERVER), the European Municipal Waste Alliance (Municipal Waste Europe) and WEELABEX, jointly called for a ban on the use of disposable e-cigarettes by the end of 2024 due to their negative impact on the environment and circular economy goals.
They said that e-cigarettes first appeared on the European market in 2006. The product was originally intended to replace traditional tobacco smoking, with the aim of providing a way for consumers to inhale nicotine atomizers without the harmful effects of burning tobacco, such as tar and carbon-containing substances. Since its release, the design of e-cigarettes has changed, including disposable e-cigarettes, which were first sold in Europe in 2019 and are mainly aimed at consumers seeking low-cost, small products and a wider range of different e-liquids and flavors, whether or not they contain nicotine.
Disposable e-cigarettes cause damage to the local environment, especially in terms of dumping, and pose a threat to wildlife and water sources. If not properly disposed of, they can release heavy metals, nicotine and other chemicals from batteries and unused e-liquid. E-liquid has been found to contain more than 80 harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde and metal nanoparticles. In addition, the negative health effects of increasing use of e-cigarettes by children have now been publicly reported, and disposable e-cigarettes are widely believed to be one of the main drivers of the sharp increase in tobacco use among teenagers.
Finally, the seven associations called for a ban on disposable e-cigarettes in Europe by the end of 2024 at the latest.