Disposable vapes to be banned from June 2025

Disposable vapes will no longer be legally sold from 1 June 2025, the government has confirmed.

The ban was originally set for 1 April 2025, but has been delayed to 1 June to allow businesses enough time to sell through stock.

The government said it had worked closely with the devolved nations on introducing the ban and they would “align coming into force dates”, with Wales already confirming it will follow suit.

While the ban is still subject to parliamentary approval, so far both major parties have indicated they are in favour of the the move.

From 1 June, the only vaping products that will be available for sale legally in the UK must be refillable and rechargeable, intended for multiple uses as opposed to ‘disposable’ vapes which are single-use products.

Julia Bywater, of Bywater News in Dudley, West Midlands, told Better Retailing that 90% of her vape sales were accounted for by disposable devices, but she has been “encouraging people towards refillables and pods”.

“It was inevitable, it was quite an environmental issue and I’m sure it might be good for people overall, but disposables were a stepping stone for many people giving up tobacco, the challenge will be what comes next for these people,” she continued.

General Election causes uncertainty on legislation impacting stores

“I really think suppliers will need to help and not let retailers get stuck with stock after the ban. With the wide range of flavours and the pace at which their rate of sale changes, it will be next to impossible for stores to predict the right stockholding as the ban approaches. After Christmas vape suppliers really need to be explaining a takeback scheme and advise stores on how to transition their range.”

Slawomir Kowalczyk, of JR Convenience in Halifax, West Yorkshire, said this ban could have been “prevented” had it not been due to illicit sellers.

“This is all down to the bad shops that sold to kids. We’re next to a school and had kids in everyday trying to buy them, we are incredibly strict but we still see them going to school with disposable vapes in their pockets,” he said.

“The government had to crackdown on the category because it failed to crackdown on the illicit sellers. There’s a lot of innovation in the market, the big players all have refillables, shoppers are nervous about switching as it’s less convenient but they will do if they are made to by the ban.

“The problem is, if there is no action against illicit traders, disposables will remain widely available and legitimate sellers will lose the whole market. The run up to the ban needs to be matched by enforcement action and a massive public messaging campaign about what’s coming up.

“Absolutely suppliers should be swapping out disposable stock, just how the cigarette companies did with 10 packs and plain packaging. The feeling from shops towards vape suppliers who refuse to do this will be ‘why should we support you if you won’t support us?”

Government considers boosting vape tax in Autumn Budget

Mo Razzaq Fed national president expressed concerns over the different dates for the ban in England and Scotland, which could lead to Scotland-based consumers simply ordering devices online from England.

“We have an open border and this will be completely unenforceable,” he said. “We all agree on the environmental damage being caused by disposables but there’s a much better solution, which we’ve pitched many times. For example, a £1 deposit on all disposables paid back when returned. Overnight the litter would disappear and the price change and returns system would naturally push people to using refillable systems such as pods.

“Those selling illicit stock, which is widespread will be completely unfazed by the ban, if anything, it’s an advantage for them at the expense of all those that follow the law.

“A lot of retailers are struggling right now. It was a weak summer combined with the cost of living affecting spending, the cost of business affecting overheads and major increases to staff wages and business rates on the way. Many stores are still paying back the Covid bounce-back loans. Disposable vapes have been a really important category for sales, footfall and profit. I’m really trying to find to be positive but unless something is done, many stores will close. The government needs to look at the effect of these policies cumulatively and consider a support package for small stores.” 

Meanwhile, ACS chief executive James Lowman the move was “welcomed” by the trade body, as it provides “businesses with enough time to prepare for the changes, including selling through existing product, working with suppliers to source alternative products and making structural changes to their displays in stores”.

He added: “This is still a challenging timetable for retailers and their supply chains, and we have developed comprehensive guidance on the ban which will be published shortly to help businesses with the transition.

“Once the ban is in place, it is essential that rogue sellers who are still selling disposable vaping products face the full force of the law and that Trading Standards enforcement teams are made aware as soon as possible, as these businesses undermine legitimate retailers.”

Industry responses

John Dunne, director general of UKVIA, told Better Retailing: “On independent stores, there could possibly devastating effect on them. Disposable vapes kept lots of independent stores from going under. I don’t know where this revenue of the black market will go, it could be an issue. Most retailers follow rules, but a few in the convenience sector don’t.

“We don’t know where illicit trade will filter through to, it could be sold via Whatsapp, at market stalls, or online for home delivery. Is everyone in sector squeaky clean? No. We are pushing for a licensing scheme, with an aim to take non-traditional sellers out of the market and ensure the only ones selling are those who are regulated. There should be big fines for those not following rules, there needs to be an incentive for those not doing it right.”

Dan Marchant, director of the UK’s largest vaping retailer, Vape Club and founding member of the UK Vaping Industry Association, said the upcoming ban is “insane”, and “the consequences will be far worse than any current issues we face with the products”. 

“The UK already has a thriving black market for illegal disposable vapes,” he said. “It is estimated that the illegal market is actually as big as the legal market. If the authorities cannot enforce the current laws, what makes them think they will be able to enforce new laws, or will the rogue retailers stop simply because it is made ‘illegal’ – it’s already illegal?

“We should not be vilifying the products, but we should be vilifying the unscrupulous retailers who are knowingly selling them to children to curb what’s being described as a vaping epidemic. We need to impose huge penalties and ensure that there is a countrywide clampdown on age verification.” What’s needed is a licensing scheme so proper age verification tests can be applied to every retailer. Higher fines must also be applied to every breach for the rogue sellers.”

Proposed bill opens door for complete display ban and plain packaging on vapes

An Elfbar spokesperson said the company’s concern is the “potential impact on the majority of single-use vapers”, with it being a “less harmful” alternative to smoking.

They said: “We support efforts to address underage vaping and environmental concerns, and understand the motivation for the English and Welsh governments to move forward with the decision, which the rest of the UK is expected to align on.

“Ensuring adult vapers continue to have access to viable alternatives is crucial, particularly if governments are to meet their respective smokefree targets.

“Our distributors work with producer compliance schemes to support the costs of recycling used vapes, which is evolving due to the new regulatory requirements we strongly support. We’ve also supplied 1,500 vape bins across the UK through retail partners to aid the recycling, and the number is growing.”

Liam Humberstone, technical director at Totally Wicked, said: “The confirmation of the ban coming into effect from next June does concern many within the vaping industry. That being said, we also recognise the growing concerns surrounding the use of disposable vapes by underage individuals, as well as the environmental issues linked to single-use products. We strongly believe that proper regulation, enforcement, and education are vital in addressing these concerns and protecting young people from accessing products that are not intended for them.”

Disposable vape-ban-ready products to hit market

Humberstone added it is “crucial to ensure that adult smokers continue to have access to safer alternatives to cigarettes”. However, the BBC report that the number of people who vape without ever having smoked has also increased considerably over recent years, driven mostly by young adults.

Markus Lindblad, nicotine retail expert at Haypp Group, discussed how “there are also plenty of other nicotine alternatives that are available”, with the ban allowing brands to put “more of a focus into other alternative nicotine products”

“Generally we can expect that the total demand for nicotine products will be intact, but fewer will transfer to less harmful products and stay with their cigarettes,” he said. “It is also safe to say that there will be converted disposable vape users that will go back to their deadly cigarettes. A recent study from Haypp revealed that 12% of those surveyed said that they would return to smoking cigarettes if this ban were to happen.”

Chris Kelly, CEO of Phoenix 2 Retail, said the ban is welcomed due to disposables’ “negative environmental impact”.

He added: “The announcement gives clarity to retailers and consumers concerning the way forward and allows us to plan properly for the transition away from single-use vapes.

“We have already begun that process, but what is now required from the government and the industry is clear enforcement to ensure this doesn’t enhance the illicit market for single-use vapes.”

Read more politics news and articles for retailers