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Government confirms details of disposable vape ban

This is the first official statement from the government confirming which devices will be banned

The Government has issued guidance for retailers which sets out the details on the definition of single-use vapes, as well as information about penalties retailers could face for continuing to sell disposables after the June 1 ban on their sale comes into force.

The guidance defines single-use vapes as “a product that’s neither designed nor intended to be re-used,” adding that “a vape is not considered re-useable, if it is either refillable but not rechargeable, or rechargeable but not refillable.”

Vapes will coils that cannot be bought separately and easily replaced are also considered rechargeable, the guidance says.

Conversely, re-usable vapes are defined as:

  • having a battery you can recharge
  • being refillable with vape liquid (up to a maximum of 10ml) 
  • If the vape has a coil, it must be one that can be replaced by an average user

Disposable vapes to be banned from June 2025

While these definitions are unlikely to surprise retailers, it is the first official statement from the government that confirms which devices will be banned from June 1.

Welcoming the publication of the guidance, the ACS said: “The new guidance confirms information that ACS has circulated to members through its dedicated Assured Advice guide on selling vapes responsibly.”

“The ACS Selling Vapes Responsibly guide also includes advice for retailers on how to spot an illicit product, with information on all of the things to look out for on the packaging and where to check the list of legitimate products,” it added.

Signs shoppers are switching from disposable vapes to reusables ahead of ban

Fines and penalties

Fines of £200 are confirmed for first offence cases of retailers found continuing to sell disposables vapes after June 1, with the guidance also confirming Trading Standards will also be able to issues stop notices and compliance notices, as well as seize any noncompliant products found.

In the case of further offences, retailers “may be charged with an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to 2 years, or both. You may also receive an additional cost recovery notice, where you must pay the costs incurred by Trading Standards while investigating your offence. This includes investigative, administrative and legal costs,” the guidance says. 

In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the fine could escalate to £5,000. A two-year prison sentence is also possible for the worst offenders across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Remaining stock

Retailers with leftover disposable vape stock after June 1 are advised to recycle them and not attempt to sell them.

“If you have vape bin services, you should do this through the company they provide – you may need to pay a fee. If you do not responsibly recycle single-use vape stocks by 1 June 2025, you’ll put your business at risk of commercial loss and legal enforcement action,” the guidance says.

The government also confirmed any retailer who sells vapes must also offer a “take back” service, allowing customers to return vapes or vape parts for recycling. This includes any single-use vapes returned after the ban.

Advising on what to do with leftover stock, the government said: “You’ll need to arrange for these vapes to be recycled.

“To prepare for the ban, you should; stop buying new stock of single-use vapes, sell through all existing stock [and] buy vapes that follow the new regulations.”

Retailers were also advised to separate any leftover stock from other goods, “label them as unsellable” and “remove them from your shopfloor or online store until they’ve been collected by a registered vape recycling service.”

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