As of today, the UK has officially banned the sale of disposable vapes, marking a significant move to combat youth nicotine addiction and address environmental concerns.
This nationwide prohibition applies to all single-use e-cigarettes, regardless of nicotine content, and is in effect across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The ban targets single-use vape devices that cannot be recharged or refilled. To be considered reusable, a vape must have a rechargeable battery and a refillable container for e-liquid.
Retailers, including corner shops, supermarkets, and online sellers, are now prohibited from selling these products.
However, consumers can still use disposable vapes purchased before the ban.
The UK government cited two key reasons for the ban: reducing environmental waste and curbing teenage vaping.
According to The Independent, nearly five million disposable vapes were littered or dumped every week in 2024. The waste, which includes lithium batteries and toxic chemicals, is dangerous.
The charity Electrical Safety First highlighted that thermal runaway can occur when a battery heats up to 600°C, releasing toxic gases and sparking fires.
Caroline Cerny from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) told Metro: “It’s promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban."
“This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing," she added.
Libby Peake of Green Alliance echoed the concerns: “They’ve been a blight on our countryside, wasted resources needed for important uses like EV batteries, and caused scores of fires at waste sites. And they’ve done all this while having a lasting impact on the health of young people, creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.”
Mary Creagh, the government’s circular economy minister, said: “For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today. The Government calls time on these nasty devices.”
Some parents have found the addictive appeal of disposable vapes hitting close to home.
Crystal Baynam revealed that she was "stunned" when her daughter, Katie, 15, started vaping at school. "Katie has confessed that she loves some of the bright colours on the packaging, which is why I agree with the government’s conclusion these products are aimed at children," she said.
ITV presenter Kate Garraway opened up about her experience, sharing how quickly she became hooked again after her pregnancy.
"But my experience was, after Billy was born, I did smoke before, and I was craving going back to smoking [but] didn’t want to," she said, adding that after stumbling upon some vapes which were being used on set as "props," her addiction was instantly reignited.
"I think we had some props in here or something ridiculous, and I picked it up and I was instantly addicted, like beyond anything!" she continued. "They’re so easy to do, and they deliver such a hit, so I don’t know that it’s a solution to ban the disposable ones, but they’re everywhere."
Despite the new restrictions, many users aren’t ready to give up disposable vapes just yet. A survey by Haypp revealed that “82 per cent of disposable vape users are planning to stockpile.”
However, stockpiling poses serious dangers as the Local Government Association (LGA) warned that lithium batteries present a serious risk of fire, and stockpiling them could pose life-threatening risks.
To enforce the new law, Trading Standards will step in. The illegal supply of single-use vapes carries a £200 fine at first instance, and repeat offenders could face an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.