Picture yourself next summer: You’re at a festival, the sun is shining, you’re dressed as a day-glo cowboy drinking a black cherry White Claw as you dance to Fred again… and try to gather all your friends before trotting off to watch Olivia Rodrigo. Life’s almost perfect, but something is missing…
Disposable vapes will be banned from sale in England as of June next year. The previous government first announced the ban in January but, following this year’s general election, it has now been followed up by Labour. The ban is intended to protect children’s health – with 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds now using vapes – as well as prevent environmental damage.
Anyone who’s been on a night out in London can attest to fluorescent, plastic, Elf Bars littering our streets. Last year, almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or binned every week in the UK. That’s eight vapes thrown away per second. And even when they are recycled, they are difficult and slow to be disassembled – thanks to lithium-ion batteries being a fire risk.
Circular Economy Minister, Mary Creagh, who confirmed the ban today (October 24), said:
Single-use vapes are extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities. That is why we are banning single-use vapes as we end this nation’s throwaway culture. This is the first step on the road to a circular economy, where we use resources for longer, reduce waste, accelerate the path to net-zero and create thousands of jobs across the country.
The long-term health impacts of vaping are still unknown, but the nicotine contained within them is highly addictive – and withdrawal causes anxiety and headaches (I can confirm this personally). The ban of disposable vapes also has the publics support, with 69% of consultation respondents supporting the ban in February 2024.
The government also looks to introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Very similar to plans under previous parliament, it will target the promotion of e-cigarettes and include the gradual introduction of a ban on the sale of tobacco products. It’s also reported that the government is considering an outdoor smoking ban in pub gardens, sports grounds and other spaces.
A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in England will come into force on June 1, 2025, with the rest of the UK likely to align with this date soon.
