Following a UK wide consultation conducted by the Government in late 2023, all UK nations have committed to ban single-use vapes, as part of a wider plan to create a smoke free generation and tackle the problem of under 18s vaping.

Background

 

The Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping consultation, which ran in late 2023, was focused on 3 key areas:

• Creating a smoke free generation.
• Tackling youth vaping.
•  Enforcement.

As the large majority of responses supported the proposed changes to the sale of tobacco products, including vaping products, the Government response outlined a plan to introduce legislation for a stronger regulation of nicotine and non-nicotine products.

A ban on disposable vapes

The UK Government, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government expressed their intent to introduce legislation to implement a ban on the sale and supply of disposable vapes, while Northern Ireland officials stated they would consider introducing similar legislation.

The main factors leading to the proposed ban on disposable vapes include:

• the rapid increase in the number of young people vaping;
• fire risk posed by the incorrect disposal of such devices; and
• the environmental impact of the millions of disposable vapes littered every year.

Scotland

The first nation to officially introduce a ban on the sale and supply of disposable vapes was Scotland, which introduced The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024. The Regulations prohibit the sale and supply of single-use vapes* starting from 1^st April 2025.

  

*Single-use vapes include any non-medical device used to vaporise substances, other than tobacco, which is not refillable or rechargeable.

How about the rest of the UK?

Although Scotland was the first nation to introduce legislation to ban the sale and supply of disposable vapes, it seems the rest of the UK will follow suit, as draft regulations had already been prepared in all other jurisdictions.

England

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 draft document is due to be considered by the Parliament on 13^th November 2024. If approved, it will come into force on 1^st June 2025.

Wales

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024, currently in draft, is planned to come into force on 1^st June 2025, as confirmed by the Welsh Government.

Northern Ireland

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 is intended to come into force on 1^st April 2025, but the date is not yet confirmed.

Conclusion

 

Considering the above, it seems fair to assume that the sale and supply of disposable vapes will be banned in all UK jurisdictions by 1^st June 2025. This move is expected to cause a significant drop in youth vaping and to reduce / eliminate the environmental impact of disposable vapes.