brief
The brief was to tackle a Wales-specific water pollution issue. I focused on plastic waste from disposable vapes, a rising problem in secondary schools. Secrecy around under-age vaping leads to improper disposal of plastic and lithium batteries. I aimed to influence teen behaviour by stopping the sales & through bold, disruptive design that drives awareness and change.
solution
My solution focused on tightening legislation around vape sales to minors. This included increased monitoring through the existing ‘mystery shopper’ service and stricter penalties for offending retailers, such as reduced probation periods and the risk of losing their licence to sell nicotine products. A tougher stance aims to limit teen access to vapes and reduce littering. For my disruptive design, I used speculative design to imagine the vape of 2050. I considered lifestyle trends, addiction, demand, and the upcoming 2025 ban on disposables.
Behaviour change
The ever growing addiction of disposable vapes is creating plastic pollution in Wales. despite there being recycling spots in shop some people are unlikely to use them due to shame and lack of education. the main culprits.... secondary school children! it would be great to educate them but wouldn't it be even better to stop these devices ever getting in their possession? i proposed a new piece of legislation on the underage sales of vapes, threatening shops rights to sell nicotine. all they simply have to do is turn the minors away. existing services will be used to monitor it like CCTV checks and Mystery Shopper.
Disruptive Design
For my piece of disruptive design i wanted to comment on the future of vapes and consider what they will look like after the upcoming ban on disposable vapes. the ban which comes in to play June 1st 2025 will greatly help reduce the vape epidemic amongst teens as they are preferred for there ease, strong flavours and colourful aesthetics. sadly we know business will find a new way to entice people to their refillable vapes which currently aren't as popular. My outcome was Whispr, the vape which clips to your ear and runs to your mouth. accessible all day and personalisable colour combos for its exterior.
