Single use vapes to be banned across country

On Sunday, 1 June, retailers will be asked to cease trading single use vapes after it was agreed in Parliament last year. If businesses are found to be selling these vapes after the deadline, they must dispose of them safely or face enforcement action.

The new regulations around vapes will mean they must:

• be rechargeable

• be refillable with e-liquid

• have a replaceable coil

In a report by Material Focus, a not-for-profit organisation, around 8.2 million disposable vapes are littered every year in the UK, which equates to around 13 every second.

These disposable vapes waste valuable resources and are often discarded improperly, releasing harmful substances into the environment and posing fire hazards if they end up in landfills.

To ensure businesses are aware of the new regulations, North East Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards team have written to over 300 retailers on the subject.

Speaking about the ban, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said: “Single-use vapes are one of the most wasteful products on our high streets, with 13 being thrown away every second across the UK.

“But this isn’t just an environmental crisis – it’s a public health one too. Single-use vapes, often sweet in flavour, are the product of choice for many young people, drawing a new generation into nicotine addiction.

“The ban will complement the world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will tackle youth vaping and safeguard our children’s health. I urge retailers to plan accordingly, as we work together to create a cleaner, greener, and healthier Britain for future generations.”

Councillor Stan Shreeve, Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “This ban will no doubt be beneficial to North East Lincolnshire’s environment, but it will also help improve the health of the general public.

“These items are seemingly attracting the younger generation into smoking or vaping from an early age, which is not acceptable. Hopefully this is a step forward into making North East Lincolnshire a healthier place to live.”

For further information, please visit Single-use vapes ban - GOV.UK.