Latest news with #KeepWalesTidy
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Single-use vapes banned in Wales from today
Single-use vapes banned in Wales from today You can now be fined hundreds of pounds or even face prison if you're found to be supplying or selling vapes The sale and supply of single use vapes are banned in Wales from June 1 (Image: Matthew Horwood ) Single-use vapes are banned across Wales and the UK from today. The move has been introduced to reduce the environmental harm caused by their production and incorrect disposal. Keep Wales Tidy estimates that over just one year, 360,000 single-use vapes are littered on the ground in Wales, while 120,000 are flushed down the toilet. The Welsh Government has worked closely with the UK Government to ensure the ban operates on the same timescale cross-border to maximise compliance and to allow around 2,000 small and medium sized retailers across Wales time to take action. First Minister Eluned Morgan said: 'Littering from single-use vapes spoils our communities and we have been working in partnership with the UK and devolved Governments to ensure there are no loopholes, with the ban running to the same timescales as the rest of the UK. 'Here is yet another example of governments working in partnership to tackle the priorities of the people of Wales.' The UK Government website states that local authorities in Wales lead on enforcing the ban, and encouraged people to contact their local authority or Trading Standards service if they suspect that someone is supplying single-use vapes, or have questions about following the ban's rules or how it is enforced. Enforcement authorities may apply civil sanctions such as a fixed fine of £200 or a variable fine of more than £200, an enforcement cost recovery notice , a non-compliance penalty, or a stop notice. You may be given an unlimited fine and prison sentence of up to six months if you're found guilty in a magistrates' court of stocking, selling or supplying single-use vapes or you fail to follow a stop notice. Single-use vapes are not designed or intended for reuse. A vape is single-use if it either has a battery you cannot recharge or is not refillable. To be reuseable, a vape must have a rechargeable battery, a refillable container that holds the vaping e-liquid (such as a chamber, capsule, cartridge, pod or tank) or removable and replaceable coil (if the vape contains a coil). Deputy First Minister with responsibility for climate change Huw Irranca-Davies said: 'Single-use vapes are a blight on our wildlife and environment, and this ban will massively reduce the litter and pollution they cause in Welsh communities. 'This weekend is another demonstration of your Welsh Labour Government's commitment to nature, addressing the climate emergency and contributes towards Wales's position as the second-best recycling nation in the world." Article continues below And minister for mental health and wellbeing, Sarah Murphy added: 'The positive health impact of this ban will help us protect children and young people from these products and the harms caused by nicotine addiction. 'One of the Welsh Government and First Minister's priorities is Iechyd Da – better health, and this is a significant step forward in limiting the health hazards and harms resulting from vape products.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Single-use vapes to be banned in Wales from this weekend
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. "The single-use vape ban being introduced will help us to protect children and young people from vape products so that they never start vaping and avoid the harms caused by nicotine addiction."
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Single-use vapes to be banned in Wales from this weekend
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. "The single-use vape ban being introduced will help us to protect children and young people from vape products so that they never start vaping and avoid the harms caused by nicotine addiction."
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
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.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Single-use vapes to be banned in Wales from this weekend
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. "The single-use vape ban being introduced will help us to protect children and young people from vape products so that they never start vaping and avoid the harms caused by nicotine addiction."
