London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK Government has declared the sale of disposable vapes will be restricted by next summer.
New legislation to prohibit the sale of single-use vapes from June 1, 2025, has been presented in Parliament, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ratified. It added that companies will have until the deadline “to sell any remaining inventory they hold and prepare for the prohibition coming into force”.
What prompted the UK government to ban disposable vapes?
Defra stated the UK Government and devolved governments had operated closely on the ban and would “align coming into force dates”. Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh expressed that single-use vapes were “extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities”. Ms Creagh 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.”
How many single-use vapes are discarded weekly in the UK?
Last year, it was calculated that almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or tossed away in general trash every week in the UK – almost four times as much as the prior year. Defra expressed vape usage in England had increased by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023, with 9.1% of the UK public now purchasing and using the products.
What measures are in place to protect young users?
Health Minister Andrew Gwynne stated: “It’s deeply troubling that a quarter of 11-15-year-olds used a vape last year and we understand disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today. Barring disposable vapes will not only safeguard the environment but importantly decrease 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.”