The United Kingdom has enforced a nationwide ban on disposable vapes in an attempt to curb youth vaping and reduce environmental waste. The ban went into effect on June 1, 2025.
The ban makes it illegal for any retailer — online or in-store — to sell vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not. They will still be able to sell reusable vapes. Those flouting the ban will face a £200 fine for the first offence and jail for repeat offenders.
The crackdown follows growing alarm over the surge in disposable vape use among teens. Estimates indicate that the UK discards nearly 5 million disposable vapes weekly, frequently resulting in landfills or street litter.
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The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said usage among young people remained too high, and the ban would “put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation’s streets.”
Earlier this year, Belgium banned disposable vapes, and Australia restricted their sale to pharmacies.
The UK Vaping Industry Association said its members had moved quickly to comply with the June 1 deadline but warned of “serious unintended consequences” emanating from too much regulation. Businesses were given six months to prepare for the change by selling any existing stock.
Disposable vapes, also known as single-use vapes, can be used until the e-liquid (the flavoured liquid containing nicotine) runs out or the battery dies, after which the entire device is discarded. Even when recycled, they must be dismantled manually, and their batteries risk leaking harmful substances that threaten ecosystems and wildlife.
