BDA: Dentists back disposable vapes ban
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 30th January 2024
The British Dental Association has backed Government moves to ban disposable vapes, which have been widely criticised for being marketed to younger users.
The professional body acknowledges the use of smoking cessation aids, such as vapes, however remain concerned about the rise in their use among people who don’t currently smoke, especially in children and young people.
Though there are current gaps in the science with respect to the use of vapes and their impact on oral health, recent academic studies raise concerns over oral dryness, irritation, and gingival diseases possibly caused by the use of vapes.
The BDA says among those trying to quit tobacco vapes should not be viewed as a “silver bullet” and should be used as part of a smoking cessation package alongside other interventions.
BDA Health and Science Committee Chair Mick Armstrong said: “A ban on disposable vapes that transparently target the young is the right choice at the right time. The MPs bleating about attacks on personal liberty need to grasp that these products are only two decades old. We’re still paying catch up on the science, but there is enough evidence for caution and common-sense restrictions.”
