A ban on single-use vapes came into effect on 1 June, meaning it is now illegal to sell or supply single-use vapes in the UK.
The ban applies to all businesses and organisations that sell or supply disposable vapes, including healthcare settings and stop smoking services. These organisations have been told to arrange for any leftover stock of these vapes to be recycled.
It is intended to limit children’s access to cheap vapes to help to support their health and wellbeing, as well as reduce their environmental impact. Last year, the independent not-for-profit organisation Material Waste estimated that almost five million single-use vapes are either littered or thrown away in the UK every week, and the number of vape battery fires in the waste stream are on the rise.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has noted that single-use vapes are notoriously difficult to recycle and a each product contains an average of 0.15g of lithium, the mining of which has led to water loss, ground destabilisation, biodiversity loss, increased salinity of rivers, contaminated soil and toxic waste.
‘Groundbreaking legislation’ banning single-use vapes
As such, the College has welcomed ‘this groundbreaking legislation’ banning the supply of single-use vapes and bringing ‘the UK one step further towards a smokefree generation’, but warned the Government to not become complacent.
Dr Mike McKean, respiratory paediatric consultant and RCPCH vice president for policy, said: ‘The ban of disposable vapes, alongside the Tobacco & Vapes Bill is a welcome step forward in creating a smokefree generation, free from nicotine addiction. However, we know that these measures alone are no silver bullet.
‘We must assume that tobacco and e-cigarette companies will continue to find new ways to target young people unless Government remains vigilant, and legislation is robust. We can’t afford complacency when it comes to the health and wellbeing of our young people.’
The Tobacco and Vapes bill, which is making its way through parliament, would also prohibit smoking for anyone born after 1 January 2009, as well as restricting the packaging, marketing and flavours of non-disposable vapes.
It comes after the rapid rise in vaping in Britain has slowed, according to research published in April that found that the prevalence of vaping had remained ‘relatively stable’ since January 2024.
The recent National Child Mortality Database report on child deaths related to asthma and allergies noted the importance of encouraging smoking cessation, including use of vapes, in parents – and children where this is occurring – to reduce child exposures and improve air quality.
In October 2024, it was found that one million people vape despite never having been regular smokers.
