The South Antrim MLA said: “The theme for this year’s Earth Day is particularly significant, as our planet is facing environmental degradation due to the high volume of plastic waste that is generated daily. One of the leading causes of this problem is the use of disposable vapes, with almost five million such vapes discarded in the UK every week. Therefore, I fully support the DAERA Minister’s intentions to ban disposable vapes in Northern Ireland given their unnecessary threat to our planet.

“It is quite common to notice these discarded plastic vape pens littering our streets nowadays. Not only is this unsightly in the areas where we live, work, and socialise, but it poses a significant danger to the environment and wildlife. They can take hundreds of years to decompose, and during that time, they can release harmful chemicals into the environment. 

“Disposable vapes do not just end up in landfills but also in our oceans and waterways, leading to the accumulation of harmful waste in our oceans. This waste can disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, leading to the decline of certain species and the overall health of our oceans.

“We need to reduce our dependence on single-use plastics and focus on using reusable products to minimise our impact on the environment. Let’s make Earth Day a starting point and commit to a more conscious approach towards reducing waste and safeguarding our planet.”