Exact date disposable vapes will be banned in UK and what to do if you have one

The government has confirmed the sale of disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales next June

Disposable vapes will no longer be able to be sold in England and Wales from next June. The crackdown on single-use vapes is part of the government's response to the surge in young people from taking up vaping, and it's hoped to help the environment, with approximately five million single-use vapes littered or thrown away every week in the UK in 2023.

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, 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. 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."

But when exactly does the ban come into force, which products will be affected, and how can you dispose of vapes safely? Nicotine Retailing Expert, Markus Lindblad, From Haypp, has the answers.

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"Disposable vapes are set to be banned in summer 2025, with the UK government giving suppliers a deadline of 1st June 2025 to get rid of all stock across England," Markus explains. "It is only disposable vapes that will be banned. Adult vapers will still be able to access refillable and reusable vapes."

It's possible the government may also ban flavoured vapes in the future, according to the expert. "Whilst different authorities have raised concern over flavoured vapes, the UK government has not yet confirmed whether or not they will be banning all flavoured vapes. In the Tobacco and Vapes Bill they do intend to address the rise in youth vaping, which could possibly mean restricting vape flavours that appeal to children. However, at this moment in time, nothing has been confirmed," he noted.

As a result, many people may be looking to get rid of their disposable vapes. If so, it's important to ensure you discard any vapes safely due to the chemicals and fire risk. "Like anything with a battery, vapes should be recycled. This is true of single-use vapes and rechargeable vapes.

"There are specific ways to recycle vapes, due to the battery inside. It is always good to check how to dispose of vapes in your local area to find the correct methods and recycling options near you," said Markus.

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He also shared advice for anyone looking for alternatives. "Whether it’s nicotine pouches or gum, there are plenty of alternatives to vapes available on the market. It's really important people do their research and find what alternative is best for them," the expert advised.

"Nicotine pouches can be a good step towards quitting smoking, as they are discrete, smoke free, don't harm the surroundings and are less harmful. In fact, research by Haypp found that 95% of smokers felt better after changing to nicotine pouches."

More information about the help and support available for people looking to stop smoking and vaping can be found on the NHS and Better Health.