The ban on the sale of disposable vapes comes into force this weekend, as a measure from the government to protect the environment and to try to deter young people from picking up a nicotine habit. The ban was first announced in January 2025, and vapers have been reported to be stocking up on the single-use devices before it comes into effect.
Have your say! Do you see vapes in litter in the street? Do you think it will help prevent children and young people from picking up the habit? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
Vaping as an alternative to smoking has surged in popularity over the past decade or so, and disposable vape pods or sticks can be found front-and-centre at shop tills all across the UK. These devices come with a single-use battery and a pre-filled container of vape liquid, and they are thrown away when they’re empty.
You will have seen these when you’re out and about in towns and cities – they are often brightly coloured, and the vape clouds most commonly taste or smell fruity and sweet.
One reason for the ban, which comes into force on Sunday June 1, is to protect the environment. Nearly 5 million of them were littered or binned every week in 2024, according to Material Focus, and they leach harmful chemicals into the soil and waterways. The lithium in the batteries can cause fires, and the majority of them will end up in landfill or incinerators instead of being recycled.
The other reason is to remove it as an option for children and young people to take up a nicotine habit. The sweet flavours and bright colours are appealing, and they work – NHS figures from last year showed nearly a quarter of children in the age bracket of 11 to 15 had tried vaping, and nearly one in 10 vaped frequently.
Shops have been busy selling their remaining stock over the past year, and anything left over past the deadline must be safely disposed of or recycled. Retailers caught selling them after the deadline could face civil penalties like fines, up to a 2 year criminal prison sentence.
Use of the vapes is not affected by the deadline, so those who have stocked up before the ban can continue to use them. Refillable and rechargeable vape kits are not affected by the ban either.
Have your say! Do you see vapes in litter in the street? Do you think it will help prevent children and young people from picking up the habit? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
