NEWS STORY : Disposable Vapes Face Nationwide Ban from June 2025
STORY
The UK government has announced a ban on the sale of disposable vapes, set to take effect in June 2025. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the environmental impact of these products and their increasing popularity among young people.
“Single-use vapes are extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities”, stated Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mary Creagh, “that is why we are banning them as we end this nation’s throwaway culture.”
The move has been welcomed by environmental groups who have long campaigned for action on the issue. Disposable vapes contribute significantly to plastic waste and contain lithium batteries, posing a risk to wildlife and ecosystems.
“This ban is a crucial step in tackling the growing tide of electronic waste”, said Libby Peake, head of resources at Green Alliance, “disposable vapes are the last thing our children and the planet need.”
The ban also aims to curb the rise of underage vaping. With their attractive flavours and low cost, disposable vapes have become readily accessible to young people, leading to a surge in nicotine addiction among teenagers.
“It is deeply worrying that a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds used a vape last year”, said health minister Andrew Gwynne, “this ban will help protect our children from the harms of nicotine addiction.”
The legislation, laid out in Parliament today, gives suppliers until June 2025 to sell off existing stock and prepare for the ban. The government expects devolved nations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to follow suit. While the ban has received widespread support, some argue that it could push vapers back to traditional cigarettes or fuel a black market for disposable vapes. The Government maintains that the ban is a necessary step to protect public health and the environment.
