(ANN/THESTAR/DPA) – The British government has announced that the sale of disposable vapes will be banned by June 1, 2025, as part of a broader effort to reduce waste and protect public health.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the legislation was presented in Parliament on October 23, allowing businesses time to sell remaining stock and prepare for the ban. The British and devolved governments coordinated on the policy and will implement it simultaneously across regions.
British Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh highlighted the environmental impact of single-use vapes, calling them “extremely wasteful” and a “blight” on towns and cities. “This ban marks a significant step toward a circular economy where we use resources more sustainably, cut waste, accelerate our path to net zero, and create jobs across the country,” Creagh said.
In 2023, Britain saw nearly five million single-use vapes discarded or thrown in general waste bins every week, a near fourfold increase from the previous year. Vape usage in England grew over 400 per cent between 2012 and 2023, with 9.1 per cent of the British public now using the products.
British Health Minister Andrew Gwynne raised concerns about the growing use of vapes among youth, noting that one in four children aged 11-15 used a vape last year, with disposables being especially popular among young users. “Banning disposable vapes not only protects the environment but also reduces their appeal to children, keeping them out of the hands of vulnerable young people,” he said.
The government also plans to introduce a comprehensive Tobacco and Vapes Bill, marking the most significant public health initiative in a generation. The bill aims to prevent nicotine addiction among young people and lay the groundwork for a smoke-free UK. Proposed measures include raising the legal smoking age incrementally for anyone born after January 1, 2009, and restricting vape marketing to children.
British Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised the government’s commitment to stricter smoking laws, promising a “more ambitious” bill than prior Conservative efforts. He stated, “We will introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill before Christmas.”
Libby Peake, head of resources at the think tank Green Alliance, supported the ban, calling disposable vapes “the last thing our children and the planet need.”
