Ban on disposable vapes takes effect

A ban on disposable vapes has come into effect across the UK on Sunday in a bid to protect children’s health and tackle a “throwaway” culture.

“For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine,” junior environment minister Mary Creagh said.

She said the government was calling “time on these nasty devices” and banning sales of single-use vapes or their supply in a crackdown on UK corner shops and supermarkets.

Those caught flouting the ban will face a £200 fine, while repeat offenders risk up to two years in prison.

Young people and children in particular have been attracted to cheap and colourful disposable vapes, which have snazzy flavours such as mint, chocolate, mango or watermelon, since they were introduced in the UK in 2021.

In 2024, nearly five million disposable vapes were thrown away each week, according to Material Focus, an independent non-profit.

More than 40 tonnes of lithium, a key metal used in the technology industry, was discarded each year along with single-use vapes – enough to power 5,000 electrical vehicles, the NGO said.

Fire services have also warned about the risk of discarded vapes catching light among household rubbish.

“Every vape has potential to start a fire if incorrectly disposed of,” said Justin Greenaway, commercial manager at electronic waste processing company SWEEEP Kuusakoski.

The new law, first proposed by the previous Conservative government, also aims to stem a rise in vaping.

“This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking,” said Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive for health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).

A recent ASH survey said 11 per cent of adults vape, or about 5.6 million people, and 18 per cent of 11 to 17 year olds – about 980,000 under-18s. Among vapers, some 52 percent of young adults aged between 18 to 24 preferred single-use vapes.

The long-term health risks of vaping remain unclear.

E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. But they do still contain highly addictive nicotine.

The upcoming ban has already led to a fall in disposable vapes. According to ASH, the use of disposables by 18-24-year-old vapers fell from 52 per cent in 2024 to 40 per cent in 2025.

Black market fears

The UK ban follows similar European moves. Belgium and France became the first EU countries to ban sales of disposable vapes.

Ireland is also preparing to introduce new restrictions.

But critics have argued many users will simply switch to refillable or reusable vaping devices, which will limit the impact on nicotine consumption.

And industry experts say the ban could lead to more illegal products entering the UK market.

The bill “only makes it illegal to sell disposable vapes – it does not prohibit their use,” warned Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club, one of the UK’s largest online vape retailers.

“We risk a surge of illegal and potentially dangerous items flooding the black market.”

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called for more resources for Trading Standards officers to be able to enforce against the rogue traders that are blatantly ignoring the law and selling illicit vapes and other products.

“We strongly support robust enforcement activity, starting with the businesses that are already openly flouting the rules by selling illicit product and who will continue to sell disposable vapes once they’re outlawed,” ACS chief executive James Lowman said.

“It is essential that Trading Standards teams are given the resources they need to get illegal vapes and other products off the streets, as these rogue businesses undermine the work of responsible retailers across the country.”

The trade body said there are thousands of rogue traders that are already selling illegal vapes, that could see a major boost when responsible retailers take them off their shelves for good on June 1st.

Trading Standards teams are drastically under-resourced, with officers typically only able to visit a premises as a result of intelligence and reports from consumers or other businesses. Research conducted for ACS last year showed that Trading Standards teams would need £140m over the next five years to deal with illicit vapes alone, with £30m required this year – three times the amount that has been provided to enforcement officers.

“Convenience retailers have been preparing for the disposables ban for several months, adapting their ranges and training colleagues on the products that they can sell,” Lowman said.

“We have been working with Trading Standards officers across the country to ensure they know what to look for once the ban comes into force, and support robust enforcement activity to take illegal vapes off the streets.”

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has meanwhile raised alarm over the potential public health consequences and the rise of an illicit vape market following the ban.

A recent report has warned that up to 200,000 people may switch from vaping to smoking as a result of the ban on disposable vapes – with a particular danger of a rise in smoking amongst younger people.

“We are now extremely concerned about the consequences of this ban, including vapers returning to smoking and the growth in the sale of black market products, which pose a significant risk to those buying them,” John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA, said.

The ban complements the government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will further tackle youth vaping.