Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of disposable vapes on (a) rivers, (b) oceans and (c) animals.

When littered, disposable vapes can introduce plastic, nicotine salts, heavy metals, lead, mercury, and flammable lithium-ion batteries into the natural environment. These items and substances contaminate waterways and soil, posing a risk to the environment and animal health. Defra is currently undertaking an impact assessment which will outline the environmental harm posed by disposable vapes and the environmental benefits of our upcoming ban on their sale and supply. Defra has also commissioned external research to further understand the environmental harms of disposable vapes, which will be published in due course.