Disposable vapes ban confirmed as concerns grow for young ‘hooked on nicotine’

The Government has announced that the sale of disposable vapes will be prohibited by next summer. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed on Wednesday that new legislation to ban the sale of single-use vapes from June 1, 2025, has been presented in Parliament.

Businesses have until this deadline to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare for the ban’s implementation. Defra stated that the UK Government and devolved governments had collaborated closely on the ban and would synchronise their enforcement dates.

Mary Creagh, the Circular Economy Minister, described single-use vapes as “extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities”. She further added: “That is why we are banning single use vapes as we end this nation’s throwaway culture.This is the first step on the road to a circular economy, where we use resources for longer, reduce waste, accelerate the path to net-zero and create thousands of jobs across the country.”

Last year, it was estimated that nearly five million single-use vapes were either littered or discarded in general waste every week in the UK – almost quadruple the amount from the previous year.

Defra reported that vape usage in England had surged by over 400% between 2012 and 2023, with 9.1% of the British public now purchasing and using the products. Health Minister Andrew Gwynne expressed his concern, saying: “It’s deeply worrying that a quarter of 11-15 year olds used a vape last year and we know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today.

“Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but importantly reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people. The government will also introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – the biggest public health intervention in a generation – which will protect young people from becoming hooked on nicotine and pave the way for a smoke-free UK.”

On Monday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting pledged to bolster anti-smoking legislation with a “more ambitious” bill than his Conservative predecessors. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, presented in the previous parliament, aimed to create a smoke-free future by progressively increasing the legal smoking age, starting with a ban for anyone born after 1 January 2009.

It also sought to tighten controls on the sale and marketing of vaping products to youngsters. Speaking at an east London health centre, Mr Streeting announced: “We will introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill before Christmas.” Libby Peake, head of resources at Green Alliance, commented: “Disposable vapes are the last thing our children and the planet need, and for too long the market for them has been allowed to grow unchecked.”