The disposable e-cigarette is considered a healthier alternative to the classic cigarette. But that was it for the advantages. It is time for the federal government and the European Union to finally ban the colorful environmental offenders with lithium-ion batteries – before we literally suffocate from them. A comment.
The disposable e-cigarette as a “healthy” alternative
Smoking is harmful to your health! After decades of intensive research, health care companies, business and politics have finally come to this valuable insight. Hallelujah! That’s why old tobacco companies and new e-cigarette start-ups are streaming onto the market and flooding Germany with disposable e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes are by no means healthy – like the good old apple, for example. Nevertheless, they are Research and medicine agreethat e-cigarettes are significantly healthier than conventional cigarettes because they are vaporized. E-cigarettes are the first step in the right direction, especially when it comes to quitting smoking.
Social media offensive is seducing more and more young people
Luckily, that’s it for the benefits. Let’s get to the disadvantages. There are quite a few of them. Let’s start with the fact that disposable e-cigarettes can be marketed wonderfully thanks to their chic, colorful appearance – much better than the old cigarettes.
Unfortunately, this only leads to more and more influencers holding the funky smoke substitute products in the camera. And because these digital opinion makers are idolized by many young people, the smoking rate among teenagers and young adults is increasing again significantly, as a study by the University of York shows.
A development that should require intervention. Actually.
Who needs a lithium-ion battery anymore?
It is not without reason that harmful products such as tobacco or alcohol must adhere to strict advertising guidelines, which apparently does not apply to disposable e-cigarettes. But if we ignore even this factor, we have to face the fact that colorful disposables are the biggest polluter of the present day.
A walk through big cities like Berlin, Cologne or Frankfurt is enough. There are disposable e-cigarettes on every corner.
In order for the vaporization process to take place, every disposable e-cigarette is equipped with a battery. In most cases these are small lithium-ion batteries. There are also cables, the depot for the liquid and a metal cover. The environmental offender is garnished with packaging made of paper and plastic.
Waste of resources on the road
The makers of the well-known miniature wonderland in Hamburg took the trouble to disassemble a disposable e-cigarette. They were able to drive a small truck for a day using the “empty” lithium-ion battery from a discarded disposable e-cigarette. According to the inventors, the battery should last a year on charges.
If you now consider how many colored cigarette substitute products adorn our streets, you can imagine how much of a waste of resources this is. After all, every lithium-ion battery contains rare earths, which are often mined under inhumane conditions.
Ban on disposable e-cigarettes: We can’t wait until 2027!
It is therefore important that politicians finally take action. As early as 2023, Environment Minister Steffi Lemke announced after a signature campaign by the German environmental aid said she supports a ban on disposable e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, very little has happened since then – neither at national nor at European level.
It’s already one step further Great Britainwhere the end of disposable e-cigarettes has been politically sealed since the beginning of 2024. We can only hope that our Federal Minister will do her job and finally take a sustainable stand for our environment – immediately.
From 2027, the EU battery regulation will de facto herald the end of disposable e-cigarettes. The law states that all batteries must be replaceable and easily removable. Neither is the case with disposable e-cigarettes. However, ignoring the immense environmental pollution until then would not be worthy of a Green Party environment minister. There is a need for action, Ms. Lemke!
A notice: This article is a commentary. This is a journalistic form of presentationwhich explicitly reflects the opinion of the author and not the entire magazine. The comment does not claim to be objective, but is intended to stimulate the formation of opinions and is protected as an opinion piece by Article 5 of the Basic Law.
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The article Disposable e-cigarettes: Finally ban the environmental offenders! by Christian Erxleben first appeared on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
As a Tech Industry expert, I fully support the ban on disposable e-cigarettes. These products not only contribute to the growing problem of electronic waste, but they also contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the environment. By banning disposable e-cigarettes, we can help reduce the amount of waste being generated and protect our planet for future generations. It is time for the tech industry to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products and make more sustainable choices.
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