The British government has announced new legislation that will crack down on single-use vapes starting from June 2025. In a joint statement, the UK health and environment departments said the move is a step towards both protecting the environment and curbing the use of vapes by young people, calling the product wasteful.
Single-use vapes, which are not rechargeable and are often thrown away or littered, cannot be recycled. Andrew Gwynne, the public health and prevention minister, expressed deep concern over the prevalence of vaping among young people, stating, “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.”
Gwynne emphasized that “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.”
Vape Usage Surges, Driven by Young People
A recent survey in England found that one million adults who did not regularly smoke have now taken up vaping, with the increase primarily driven by young people. The survey revealed that 14% of 18 to 24-year-old non-regular smokers now use e-cigarettes.
According to the joint statement, vape usage in England has increased by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023. The recycling non-profit group Material Focus estimated last year that nearly 5 million single-use vapes are thrown away every week, a fourfold increase compared to their previous estimate the year prior.
Ban Aligns with Devolved Governments, Follows European Trend
The ban, which is subject to approval in parliament, gives businesses until June 1, 2025, to sell their remaining stock. It is expected that enforcement dates will be aligned with devolved governments, with the Welsh government already confirming the June date for the legislation to come into force.
Several European countries have also planned to ban disposable vapes, with the European Commission approving French and Belgian legislation earlier this year.
While vaping is considered much less harmful than cigarette smoking, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) emphasizes that it is not “completely harmless” and is only recommended for adult smokers as a smoking cessation tool.
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