Single-use vapes to be banned in Wales from this weekend
A ban on single-use vapes will come into effect across Wales and the rest of the UK from June 1.
The decision was made to address the environmental damage caused by their creation and improper disposal.
This comes after a Welsh Government pledge to make the country's response to the climate and nature emergency integral to all actions.
The deputy first minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: "Single-use vapes create litter and plastic pollution; this ban will help stop the serious harm these products cause to our wildlife and environment.
"They should be recycled at a vape shop, or taken to a local authority recycling centre, to be disposed of safely.
"Vapes should never go in the bin as they are susceptible to catching fire."
Keep Wales Tidy estimates that 360,000 single-use vapes are littered on Welsh streets each year, with a further 120,000 flushed down toilets.
In response, the charity's chief executive, Owen Derbyshire, said: "We warmly welcome Welsh Government's decision to ban single-use vapes—something we've been calling for in recent years.
"Nearly half of all clean-ups undertaken by our volunteers last year found these harmful products.
"They're a blight on our communities, a danger to wildlife, and near impossible to recycle."
The Welsh Government has sent hard-copy information of the impending ban and required action to approximately 2,000 small- and medium-sized retailers across Wales.
All businesses retailing single-use vapes will need to set up a take-back recycling service for used vapes, pods, or batteries.
Any leftover single-use vapes must be disposed of correctly.
The mental health and wellbeing minister, Sarah Murphy, said: "In addition to the environmental impacts, we know single-use vapes are being used by children and young people and are a factor in the significant increases in youth vaping that we have seen in recent years.
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