Disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales from June next year in a bid to protect children’s health and reduce environmental harm.
Government ministers confirmed the ban this week, with Wales already confirming it will follow suit.
The ban – which will make it illegal to sell single-use vapes – was first announced in January by the previous government but was not brought into force before the general election.
Last year it was estimated almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste each week in the UK. This marks a fourfold increase on the previous year.
Health minister Andrew Gwynne said: ‘It’s deeply worrying that a quarter of 11- to 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.
‘The government will also introduce the tobacco and vapes bill – the biggest public health intervention in a generation – which will protect young people from becoming hooked on nicotine and pave the way for a smoke-free UK.’
Vape tax
This comes as chancellor Rachel Reeves considers raising the tax on vaping products in the upcoming autumn budget.
The vaping products levy was first introduced by ex-chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the spring budget earlier this year. Due to come into effect in October 2026, the tax will introduce a levy of £1-£3 per 10ml of vape liquid, depending on the nicotine level of the product.
The tax was introduced by the Conservative government to encourage smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives and discourage vaping among children.
An increase to the vaping products levy is expected to be announced alongside an increase in tobacco duty – this will avoid encouraging vape users to switch to smoking.
This follows new data from NHS England which revealed that almost one in 10 (9%) secondary school children now vape regularly.
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