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.
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.
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.
Common policy
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.
UK wide ban by mid-2025
Legislation introducing a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes* across all of the UK was published in late 2024.
*Single-use vapes include any non-medical device used to vaporise substances, other than tobacco, which is not refillable or rechargeable.
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, prohibiting the sale and supply of single-use vapes from 1st April 2025. However, the date was pushed back to 1st June 2025 by The Environmental Protection (Injurious Articles) (Fixed Penalty Notices and Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.
England
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024, published in November 2024, prohibit the sale and supply of single-use vapes in England from 1st June 2025.
Wales
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024, published in December 2024, prohibit the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Wales from 1st June 2025.
Northern Ireland
The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024, published in December 2024, prohibit the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Northern Ireland from 1st June 2025.
Those who sell or supply single use vapes illegally may be fined or imprisoned. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing compliance.