Disposable vape ban confirmed amid fears of nicotine-addicted children - and it comes in very soon

The Government has announced that the sale of disposable vapes will be prohibited by next summer. New legislation set to ban the sale of single-use vapes from June 1, 2025, was presented in Parliament, as confirmed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on Wednesday.

Defra has given businesses a deadline until the ban's enforcement "to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare for the ban coming into force". The UK Government and devolved administrations have been collaborating closely on the ban, aiming to synchronise the enforcement dates.

Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh criticised single-use vapes for being "extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities", adding: "That is why we are banning single use vapes as we end this nation’s throwaway culture."

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She also stated: "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."

Last year, it was estimated that nearly five million single-use vapes were discarded or thrown away in general waste every week in the UK – a figure almost quadruple that of the previous year. According to Defra, vape usage in England surged by over 400% from 2012 to 2023, with 9.1% of Britons now purchasing and using these products.

Health Minister Andrew Gwynne expressed concern, saying: "It’s deeply worrying that a quarter of 11-15 year olds used a vape last year and we know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today. Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but importantly reduce 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."

On Monday, Health Secretary Wes Streeting pledged to ramp up anti-smoking legislation with a "more ambitious" bill than that proposed by the Conservatives. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, presented in the previous parliament, aimed to create a smoke-free future by progressively increasing the legal smoking age, starting with anyone born after 1 January 2009, and to tighten regulations on vape sales and marketing towards children.

Speaking at an east London health centre, Mr Streeting told journalists: "We will introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill before Christmas."

Libby Peake, head of resources at Green Alliance, commented on the issue, saying: "Disposable vapes are the last thing our children and the planet need, and for too long the market for them has been allowed to grow unchecked.

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