When are Disposable Vapes Getting Banned in the UK?

Vape devices have proved to be an effective method in the past few years for adults to quit smoking. But with 43% of those who do vape using disposable vapes, which are an environmental concern (with 8.2 million thrown away weekly), and frequently used by young people, the UK government had to act by banning disposable vapes.

This guide explains when they will be banned, with an in-depth look at why the ban parliament passed legislation with overwhelming support to ban disposables and what this means for the future of vape products.

Key Insights from the Ban

• Only non-rechargeable or non-refillable vapes will be banned
• The ban commences on 1 June 2025
• Local authority Trading Standards will lead on enforcing the ban
• From 1 June 2025, MHRA will remove all single-use vaping products from their list, and any sold not on the list will be an illegal offence
• Following this date, all products not sold will need to be arranged for recycling

When Will Disposable Vapes Be Banned in the UK?

Following the 2024 King’s Speech, it was announced that all single-use non-rechargeable and refillable disposables would be banned from 1 June 2025. This was after parliament passed legislation on 23 October 2024.

Businesses must sell any remaining stock by this date, and thereafter safely remove any remaining stock by responsible recycling.

Therefore, the final date of purchase for single-use disposables will be 31 May 2025. This legislation is intended to deter youth from finding vapes as an attractive proposition to stop the next generation from becoming addicted to nicotine.

How Did the World React to This News?

For many years now the UK has been recognised as one of the leaders in smoking cessation and their advocacy for vape products has been a big part of the reduced levels of smokers over the years. As this graph from ASH below shows, smoking prevalence has decreased year on year, with disposable vapes playing a big role, as many turned to the convenience of single-use kits.

But with the announcement of the ban from the 1 June, there will be more sweeping changes in the industry, and with that some fears. Because disposables served as an entry device into vaping for many, in a variety of flavours, the simplicity of these devices was a useful aid. Now vapers will need to turn to an alternative that can be as straightforward to pick up and use.

Another fear is that the UK government will look to ban flavours, to reduce the chances of vapers turning to fruit and candy flavours. This was met with a petition from the previous government in 2024 and more than 50,000 signatures opposing the ban of flavours.

Will All Vapes Be Banned?

Rest assured for the 6 million smokers that the UK government has done the smart thing and not completely got rid of accessibility for vape products in the UK like Australia has done (with prescription as the only legal method).

You can still buy e-liquids, tanks, coils and vape kits all set within TPD regulations to help smokers quit by continuing to help vapers drop their nicotine levels and gradually give up nicotine for good.

Why Are They Just Banning Disposables?

Although we have seen in recent years measures such as a maximum tank or pod capacity of 2ml, or restricting e-liquids to a nicotine strength of no more than 20mg per ml, disposables have attracted the most attention.

There are two key reasons why – first it’s been challenging to police and monitor who they’re distributed to and then sold to. A major concern has been the number of young people between the ages of 11-17 in secondary school who have access to disposables, which are typically sold between £4-5 per unit but can even be sold as low as £2 in larger quantities.

Another major concern is for the environment. Because a disposable is intended for use over only several days and does not offer rechargeable batteries, the idea of a single-use vape sold in the millions each week is a huge problem for the environment.

As Material Focus discovered with an important study that nearly 5 million disposable vapes are discarded or littered every week, this creates problems for landfill, for safely discarding batteries and for potential fire damage.

Will There Be a Ban on Vape Flavours?

Following the ban on disposables, the UK government may begin to look into reducing or removing certain vape flavours from sale. This will be addressed in the Tobacco and Vape Bill.

Because studies suggest that 1 in 3 vapers would return to cigarettes if flavoured vapes were banned, it is a difficult subject to tackle. As it would be a concern for many who already vape, and less appealing for smokers thinking of quitting, it would be a backward step by the UK government to ban sweet flavours and other alternatives.

Granted, in recent times the packaging and candy-inspired flavours have been marketed in the wrong way to attract underage smokers, but the potential ban on flavours needs to help current adult smokers quit.

What are the Alternatives to Disposable Vapes?

Disposable vapes will soon be out the door but that doesn’t mean the top manufacturers are also designing similar alternatives that provide a convenient solution.

For instance, over the past few years, there is no doubt that Elf Bar and Lost Mary have led the way in disposable vape designs and performance. But since the news of the disposable vape ban, they have quickly found a way to reinvent themselves with contingency planning in place.

With only two months now until the ban is enforced, it will be interesting to see the developments made by the likes of Elf Bar, Innokin and Vaporesso to produce new and innovative ways for vapers to put down cigarettes and pick up cost-effective nicotine replacement.

Currently, we are seeing the emergence of big vapes with big puff counts, storing e-liquid through multiple pod systems or refill containers entering the market. Time will tell whether they will be permitted legally for sale or also be a part of the ban.

Providing they are rechargeable and refillable with prefilled or empty refillable pods, big puff vapes should be permitted as a product of sale. Alternatively, it may be up to pod kits, vape pens and cigalikes as the best refillable vape products available once the 1 June 2025 ban on disposables begins.

Will the Disposable Vape Ban Help or Stop the UK Government’s Plan for a Smokefree UK by 2030?

The UK government took the bold step to announce the move to ban disposable vapes which has divided opinion between politicians, members of the media, health organisations and most importantly vapers who need help to give up smoking and can’t do it cold turkey.

With concerns about the black market and counterfeit vapes but the positives of less wasted batteries and pricing the youth of the UK illegally purchasing vape products, the debate will surely continue past the June 2025 deadline.

If the government wants to stick to their goal of a smoke-free UK society by 2030, which is already behind by at least seven years, banning disposables could push this target back even further.

Time will tell whether the ban will help or complicate switching from smoking or disposable vapes. Providing there are simple solutions for beginners to vape effortlessly, such as refillable pod kits, the ban can reduce environmental waste and reduce youth vaping but also continue to provide smokers and disposable vapers with alternatives.