A ban on disposable vapes has come into force in the UK. Credit: Peter Dazeley / Getty
The UK officially banned disposable vape sales today.
This move targets youth addiction and environmental waste.
The ban covers all single-use e-cigarettes,
no matter the nicotine content.
It applies across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The ban targets single-use vapes that can’t be recharged or refilled.
To qualify as reusable, a vape must have a rechargeable battery and a refillable e-liquid container.
Shops, supermarkets, and online sellers can no longer sell these products.
Consumers may still use disposables bought before the ban.
The UK government enforced the ban to cut waste and stop teenage vaping.
In 2024, nearly five million disposable vapes were dumped or littered every week, according to The Independent.
These devices contain lithium batteries and toxic chemicals, posing serious environmental and safety risks.
Electrical Safety First warned that batteries can reach 600°C, release toxic gases, and spark fires through thermal runaway.
Caroline Cerny of ASH told Metro that many people, especially the youth, shifted to reusable vapes before the ban.
She noted disposables appealed to young users because they were attractive, cheap, and heavily marketed.
Libby Peake of Green Alliance said disposables polluted the countryside, wasted crucial resources, and caused many waste site fires.
She added that these devices harmed young people’s health and created a new generation of nicotine addicts.
Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, said:
“Single-use vapes littered our streets and hooked kids on nicotine.
That ends today. The government has banned these harmful devices.”
Some parents say the addictive pull of disposable vapes has hit home.
Crystal Baynam said she was “stunned” when her 15-year-old daughter, Katie, started vaping at school.
Katie admitted she liked the bright packaging.
Crystal agreed with the government that these products target children.
ITV presenter Kate Garraway shared her experience too.
After giving birth, she craved smoking but wanted to avoid it.
She found vapes on set being used as props.
Curious, she tried one and got instantly hooked.
“They’re so easy to use and give such a strong hit,” she said.
“They’re everywhere, and I’m not sure banning disposables is the full solution.”
Many users aren’t ready to quit disposable vapes.
A Haypp survey found 82% of users plan to stockpile them.
But stockpiling is dangerous.
The Local Government Association warned that lithium batteries can cause fires and serious health risks.
Trading Standards will enforce the ban.
Selling banned vapes now carries a £200 fine for first-time offenders.
Repeat offenders risk unlimited fines, prison time of up to two years, or both.
