Disposable vapes to be banned from June 2025, says government

The government says it'll be introducing a ban on disposable vapes next year

The sale and use of single-use disposable vapes will be banned in England from June next year, the government has said.

Ministers say the move aims to protect children's health and the environment.

Similar bans are expected to be introduced by the governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Although it is already illegal to sell any vape to young people under the age of 18, there have been increasing worries that disposable vapes, which are often sold in smaller, more colourful packaging than refillable ones, play a big role in the rise in young people vaping.

The banning of disposable vapes was first announced in January by the previous government led by the former prime minister Rishi Sunak.

However, the ban was not put into action before the general election in July earlier this year.

Doctors in the UK have also called for the ban of the single-use vapes recently, with the British Medical Association (BMA), a group representing doctors, saying children are targets of bright colours and fun flavours.

According to the NHS, vapes could lead children into a harmful addiction and the long-term risks aren't yet known.

Why are people concerned about vapes?

Disposable vapes often end up in landfill and can cause harm to the environment

Vapes are small devices which hold a liquid containing nicotine - an addictive substance also found in cigarettes - as well as other harmful chemicals.

Vapes work by heating the liquid inside them which creates a vapour, and this is inhaled by the person using it.

A big concern about young people using vapes illegally is that we don't know what the long-term effects are because there isn't enough research yet.

Another major issue is that disposable vapes are difficult to recycle.

They typically end up landfill, where their batteries can leak harmful waste like battery acid, lithium and mercury into the environment, the government said.

"It's deeply worrying that a quarter of 11-15-year-olds used a vape last year and we know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today," public health minister Andrew Gwynne said.

"Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but importantly reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people."

What about the rest of the UK nations?

The governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have all announced intentions to introduce similar bans on disposable vapes, and the UK government said it was working with them to align the dates for when the bans take effect.

The Welsh government has confirmed it'll be introducing a ban which will come into force on 1 June 2025.

"Action to tackle the environmental and social impacts of single-use vapes is a key priority for the Welsh government and we continue to work with the other UK nations to address these challenges," Huw Irranca-Davies, who is the deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, said.