The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that a ban on the sale of single-use vapes will be implemented in the UK starting 1 June 2025, pending parliamentary approval. This legislation, laid in Parliament by Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh on 24 October 2024, has been developed in close cooperation with devolved governments, with Wales confirming its participation in the ban on 23 October.
The ban is motivated by environmental and public health concerns, as nearly five million single-use vapes are disposed of weekly, often through littering or general waste, according to recent estimates. Vape usage in England surged by over 400% from 2012 to 2023, with nearly 10% of the British public now using these products. Businesses will have until June 2025 to clear existing stock and adapt to the new regulation.
Minister Mary Creagh described the ban as a critical measure to reduce waste and advance the UK’s transition towards a circular economy. She stated, “Single-use vapes are extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities. That is why we are banning single-use vapes as we end this nation’s throwaway culture.” She further emphasised that this move marks “the first step on the road to a circular economy,” where resources are used longer, waste is minimised, and job opportunities in sustainability are created.
Concerns about youth vaping are also a driving force behind the decision. Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, highlighted that a quarter of 11-15-year-olds reported using vapes last year, with disposable vapes being especially popular among young people. Gwynne affirmed that “banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment but reduce their appeal to children.” The government will also introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a significant public health initiative aimed at preventing youth nicotine addiction and supporting the UK’s smoke-free goals.
Public sentiment aligns with the ban, with 69% of respondents to a government consultation in early 2024 supporting restrictions on single-use vapes. The previous government proposed this ban in January 2024, but it was actioned only after the general election.
Environmental Impact of Single-Use Vapes
Single-use vapes contain valuable lithium-ion batteries, which, if not disposed of properly, are lost to landfill or incineration, wasting critical resources and posing a fire risk. It was reported in August 2024 that it experiences an average of one avoidable fire each day due to vapes and other hazardous items improperly disposed of in general waste.
Libby Peake, head of resources at Green Alliance, expressed strong support for the ban, emphasising its environmental importance. “Disposable vapes are the last thing our children and the planet need,” Peake said, noting that these products waste valuable resources like lithium, which is crucial for a sustainable economy. Peake praised the government’s decision as “a welcome step in the journey towards an economy where waste is reduced by design.”
View our previous story on single-use vapes, "Defra announced that it has banned the use of single-use vapes in the UK [01.02.24]"
