The UK Single-Use Disposable Vapes Will Be Banned Starting in June

The UK government plans to ban single-use disposable vapes by June 1, 2025. This initiative is one of the largest public health interventions in recent history, aimed at addressing concerns over the rising sales of these products, particularly among young people.
Reasons Behind the Ban on Disposable Vapes
Under the new regulations, selling single-use disposable vapes will be illegal. While these vapes have become popular for their convenience and ease of use, their health implications, especially for children, have sparked ongoing debates. The government seeks to protect young people from the attractive marketing strategies used by companies targeting them with single-use vapes.
Impact on Young Vapers and Public Health
By implementing this ban, officials hope to mitigate long-term health risks associated with vaping and prevent young individuals from becoming nicotine-dependent. The marketing of disposable vapes as trendy and harmless has contributed to increased vaping among youth, raising concerns among public health advocates.
As we approach this significant policy change, it’s essential for consumers to stay informed about the restrictions. Banning disposable vapes aims to protect future generations while promoting responsible vaping practices throughout the UK.
In March 2024, the UK government introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes the ban on single-use disposable vapes set to take effect on June 1, 2025. The main objective is to combat underage vaping.
Why the UK is Banning Single-Use Vapes
Single-use vapes are not rechargeable or refillable, leading to inefficient use of resources. Often discarded as litter or thrown in non-recycled waste bins, they contribute to environmental issues. Littering harms communities and introduces toxic substances into the ecosystem. When thrown into black bins, single-use vapes often end up in landfills or incinerators, wasting valuable resources and posing fire risks to waste management workers and the public.
To address these concerns, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes starting June 1, 2025.
What Will Be Banned, and What Will Be Allowed?
According to the government, a disposable vape is defined as “a product that’s neither designed nor intended for reuse.” The upcoming ban will include both nicotine and nicotine-free single-use vapes.
For a vape device to remain legal, it must be both rechargeable and refillable. Pod- or cartridge-based vapes using pre-filled disposable pods are allowed if replacement pods are sold separately.
Devices that are refilled with bottled e-liquid must have either replaceable coils available for individual purchase or pre-filled (or refillable) pods that are also sold separately.
Replaceable batteries are not required as long as the device is rechargeable. For example, vape mods with sealed internal batteries are permitted if they can be recharged via a USB connection.
Definition of a reuseable vape
To be reusable, a vape must:
- have a battery you can recharge
- be refillable with vape liquid
If the vape has a coil, it must be one that can be replaced by an average user – this includes any part of the product that heats or generates a vapour when interacting with the product’s ingredients.
The vape may be refilled by either:
- filling up the tank or cartridge with e-liquid
- inserting new pre-filled pods
Refills (pods or vape liquid refill bottles) should be separately available for users to buy.
If the vape has a coil, it may be replaced by either:
- removing and replacing it
- removing and replacing a pod or tank that contains it