The sale of disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales from next year.

Under new legislation introduced by the Labor government, it will be illegal for retailers to sell these devices from June 1, 2025.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said businesses had until the deadline “to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare for the ban to come into force “.

Defra said vaping use in England had increased by more than 400 per cent between 2012 and 2023, with 9.1 per cent of the British public now buying and using these products.

Recent figures also revealed that the number of young people reporting vaping had tripled in the last three years.

Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said: “It is deeply worrying that a quarter of 11 to 15 year olds have used a vape in the last year.

“We know that disposable products are today the product of choice for the majority of children who vape. Banning them will keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people.

The ban will precede a new tax on vaping products.

From April 2026, the new tax is expected to come into effect after the Conservatives introduced it in their March budget. This will introduce a levy of £1-3 per 10ml of e-liquid, increasing depending on nicotine levels.

This could cost the average vape user around £72.80 a year, according to analysis by The Independent found, with the average £4 bottle of e-liquid coming in at £5.40.

It has been reported that Rachel Reeves is considering raising the tax further ahead of her budget which will be revealed at the end of the month.

Labor has already outlined its ambition to reduce the number of young people smoking or vaping, by introducing new rules as part of the Tobacco and Vaping Bill.

The legislation aims to prevent anyone born after January 1, 2009 from legally smoking by gradually increasing the age at which tobacco can be purchased.

The bill, which Health Secretary Wes Streeting said would be introduced before Christmas, will also give the government new powers to regulate the flavors, packaging and presentation of vaping products to make them less attractive to children.

Chris Thomas, a researcher at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), said The Guardian: “It is right that the government considers new taxes intended to discourage or penalize industries and products harmful to health while generating revenue to invest in creating health.

“We estimate that health levies on alcohol, tobacco, vapes, junk food and gambling could raise up to £10 billion by the end of the decade. »

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation about tax changes outside of tax events. »