The government has announced a ban on the sale of disposable vapes from June next year.

New legislation banning the sale of single-use vapes has been introduced to Parliament, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed on Wednesday.

Defra said the UK government had worked closely with the devolved governments on the ban and would “align the effective dates”.

Single-use vapes come pre-filled with e-liquid and are ready to use right out of the package.

They are available in a wide range of flavors and nicotine strengths and are generally compact and lightweight, allowing for discreet use.

When will the ban come in?

The ban on the sale of single-use vapes will come into force on June 1, 2025 in England.

Wales has already confirmed the same date for its ban, with Scotland and Northern Ireland expected to follow suit.

Businesses will have until the deadline “to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare for the ban to come into force”, Defra said.

Why are disposable vapes banned?

Defra highlighted that vaping use in England increased by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023. Around 9.3% of the British public now buy and use these products.

Due to the huge increase and single-use nature of these e-cigarettes, the huge waste has raised environmental concerns.

Last year, it was estimated that almost five million single-use vapes were thrown away or thrown into household waste every week in the UK, almost four times more than the previous year.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said single-use vapes were “extremely wasteful and destroying our cities”. She added: “That’s why we’re banning single-use vapes as we end throwaway culture in this country.

“This is the first step on the path to a circular economy, where we use resources for longer, reduce waste, accelerate the path to carbon neutrality and create thousands of jobs across the country. »

The devices are also often marketed to younger users – and have been linked to growing health risks, including nicotine addiction and respiratory problems.

Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said: “It is deeply worrying that a quarter of 11-15 year olds have used a vape in the last year and we know that disposable products are the product of choice for the majority of people. children who vape today.

“Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but will also reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the reach of vulnerable young people.”

Can I still vape?

The short answer is yes, because vaping will still be legal after June – but you will no longer be able to buy disposable vapes.

Users will be forced to buy rechargeable devices if they continue vaping after June 1 next year.

Until then, disposable vapes can still be sold legally.

What is the age to vape?

In the UK, the legal age to purchase vaping products is 18. This regulation applies to all electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, including disposable vapes and refillable kits.

It is both illegal to sell vapes to anyone under 18 and for adults to purchase vapes from anyone under 18.

Despite these regulations, concerns remain about the accessibility of vaping products to minors, particularly due to the increase in online sales and social media marketing.

Will all vapers eventually be banned?

Although there are currently no plans to completely ban all vaping products, the government’s decision to ban disposable vapes could be seen as the first step towards a total ban.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has promised to toughen tobacco laws with a “more ambitious” tobacco and vaping bill by Christmas.

The bill, tabled during the last legislature, aimed to prevent anyone born after January 1, 2009 from legally smoking by gradually increasing the age at which tobacco can be purchased. It also aimed to impose restrictions on the sale and marketing of vapes aimed at children.

The government is also introducing other measures to restrict vaping, including regulating the flavors, packaging and presentation of vapes.

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