The UK government has confirmed that the sale of disposable vapes will be banned across England and Wales from June 2025. This move, aimed at tackling both environmental damage and public health concerns, was first announced earlier this year but has now been officially laid before Parliament. The ban is expected to be enacted next summer, giving businesses time to clear existing stock before the deadline.
Scotland was due to implement a ban from April of next year, however the Scottish government has announced it will now be delayed until the 1st of June 2025 to align with England & Wales.
Widely used for their convenience, disposable vapes have increasingly become a significant environmental issue. According to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra), nearly five million of these single-use products are discarded or littered every week. These vapes are notoriously difficult to recycle, often containing lithium batteries and plastic components that end up in general waste, posing risks to both the environment and waste processing facilities.