From June next year, single-use disposable vapes will be banned across England and Wales, the government has confirmed. The decision, initially announced in January by the previous government but delayed by the general election, is aimed at protecting young people’s health and curbing environmental damage associated with disposable vape waste.
The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) reports a 400% surge in vape use in England since 2012, with 9% of the British public now purchasing these products. This increase includes a sharp rise in young adults vaping without any prior history of smoking, a trend largely driven by the easy availability and appeal of disposable vapes.
While the ban will not extend to rechargeable or refillable vaping devices, disposable vapes have been criticised for their packaging, which is often smaller and more colourful, making them particularly appealing to younger audiences. Despite it being illegal to sell any vape product to individuals under 18, disposable vapes have been identified by health experts as a significant factor in rising youth vaping rates. Andrew Gwynne, Public Health Minister, stated that the ban will “reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people.”
The government collaborated with devolved administrations to align the implementation of the ban across the UK. While Wales has confirmed its alignment, Scotland, which originally intended to introduce the ban in April, will now enforce it from 1 June to match England and Wales.
Vaping industry leaders have expressed concerns that the prohibition may lead to a rise in illegal sales, potentially creating new challenges for authorities. However, the environmental impact of single-use vapes has been a strong motivator for the ban. According to Defra, almost five million disposable vapes were littered or disposed of in general waste each week last year, marking a nearly fourfold increase from the previous year. These discarded vapes contained over 40 tonnes of lithium, enough to power 5,000 electric vehicles, contributing to landfill waste and the risk of fires in waste-processing facilities due to battery leakage. Minister for waste reduction, Mary Creagh, noted that these products are “extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities.”
The NHS has acknowledged that while vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, the long-term health risks of vaping remain unknown. Dr Claire Hogg, a paediatric respiratory consultant, told BBC Radio 5 Live that disposables have led to an “absolute epidemic of nicotine addiction” among young people, disrupting their sleep, concentration, and overall wellbeing. She added that her own son, previously addicted to nicotine through vaping, viewed the ban as “brilliant news” after he became hooked on vaping at just 14 due to targeted marketing.
The economic appeal of disposables has also played a role in their popularity. Priced at about £5, they are cheaper than refillable kits, which typically cost between £8 and £12, although refillable devices offer lower long-term costs.
As England and Wales join an expanding list of countries with vape restrictions—including New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, India, and Brazil—both Ireland and Belgium have recently announced plans to introduce their own bans on disposable vapes.
The ban marks a significant step in addressing both public health concerns and environmental issues, with ministers hopeful that it will contribute to a reduction in waste and a healthier future for young people across the UK.
