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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The recycling dos and don'ts for throwing out your vapes
The government's ban on disposable vapes has come into force across the UK, making it illegal for any retailer to sell them. The ban applies to places such as supermarkets, corner shops and specialist vape shops, and aims to target both the waste caused by the devices, and the use of disposable vapes by young people. Retailers who break the rules will be first hit with a £200 fine and have all the offending products seized: those who reoffend face unlimited fines or jail time. The government has said the ban will help "call time on these nasty devices" saying the products have "blighted our streets as litter". So, as the ban comes into force, Yahoo News takes a look at what's going on and how people can dispose of their vapes properly. However, some vaping industry experts have warned that reusable devices are already on sale at the same price, in the same packaging, as disposables, and that vape producers are changing products to fit with the ban. Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, which leads the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, told ITV News: "Vape producers are being infinitely creative with their products in order to avoid the forthcoming disposable vape ban. 'We might need more flexible legislation to deal with the challenges of new products with similar challenges surging onto the market." Single-use vape are ones with a battery you cannot recharge or replace, and these are the ones affected by the ban. Top brands include Elf Bar and Lost Mary. Reusable vapes must have rechargeable batteries, refillable containers and removable and replaceable coils if applicable. Data from anti-smoking charity Action on Smoking and Health found that the number of vapers who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025 The use of disposables among 18 to 24-year-olds vapers has already declined this year, from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. Almost five million disposable vapes were either littered or discarded very week last year, according to campaign group Material Focus. The devices also use lithium which is required for electric car batteries, and can explode, leading to a series of fires at waste sites. Libby Peake, senior fellow and head of resources at Green Alliance, said in a statement: 'Single use vapes should never have been allowed on the market. They've been a blight on our countryside, wasted resources needed for important uses like EV batteries and caused scores of fires at waste sites. 'They've done all this while having a lasting impact on the health of young people, creating a new generation of nicotine addicts.' The ban does not apply to using disposable vapes, only selling them, so if you have any left there is no problem about using them. However, the Local Government Association has warned that stockpiling single-use vapes is a fire risk, with the lithium batteries in the devices posing a potential risk to life if stored incorrectly. That means you should not recycle vapes in household waste due to the high fire risk from the devices. Instead, there are recycling centres around Britain which can deal with single-use vapes. They are often taken apart by hand to deal with the batteries in the devices, which can also leak harmful chemicals. To find one near you, visit Recycle Your Electricals, enter your postcode, and type 'vape' in the box. Recycle Your Electricals can also help you find places to recycle used vape pods and other vaping waste, as well as recycling broken vapes. Household waste sites will also have bins for devices. All household waste and recycling centres have bins for electricals and batteries. If you can remove the battery, recycle it separately. If you can't, recycle the whole vaping kit with your electrical recycling," Recycle Your Electricals says. Read more This is what vaping does to your body Eight lesser-known vaping health risks as non-smoker users rise
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Disposable vapes ban: What you need to know as single-use vapes are pulled from shelves
A ban on disposable vapes has come into force in the UK as the government attempts to crack down on youth nicotine addiction as well as the litter the single-use devices create. The crackdown makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. The ban follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. 5.6 million adults were vaping in Great Britain in 2024, according to charity Action on Smoking Health (ASH). Here, The Independent looks at the reasons behind the ban and what it means for you: The government is banning the sale of single-use disposable vapes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A vape is single-use if it either has a battery that cannot be recharged or is not refillable. To be reusable, a vape must have a rechargeable battery and a refillable container that holds the vaping e-liquid. The government has provided two main reasons for the disposable vape ban. Firstly, to protect the environment. Nearly five million disposable vapes were littered or discarded every week in 2024, according to Material Focus. Most end up in general waste or as litter rather than being recycled. These vapes are hazardous during disposal, with built-in batteries posing a fire risk in bin lorries and recycling centres. They must be dismantled by hand to recycle, and if littered, can leak harmful chemicals into soil and waterways. Secondly, to reduce the number of young people vaping. The introduction of a new generation of disposable vapes in 2021 coincided with a significant increase in youth vaping. The new single-use vapes are relatively cheap, have bright and attractive packaging, are easy to use and are widely promoted. Although the rise in youth vaping has levelled off, disposables continue to be the most popular product among young people who vape, according to ASH. The ban only applies to businesses selling disposable vapes, not to those who use them. However, the Local Government Association urged people to think twice before hoarding disposable vapes, warning that stockpiling them could pose life-threatening risks. There are concerns that some people are stocking up on single-use vapes, with research by online nicotine retailer Haypp finding 82 per cent of disposable vape users are planning to stockpile. The LGA has warned that the lithium batteries contained inside disposable vapes could cause fires and pose a risk to life if not stored correctly. Lithium batteries present a serious risk of fire, as there is the potential for them to enter into thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a battery reaches up to 600C, releasing toxic gases and creating a fire, according to charity Electrical Safety First. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. It applies to all businesses and organisations that sell or supply single-use vapes in the UK. This includes: Retailers – such as convenience stores, market stalls, petrol stations, specialist vape shops and supermarkets Manufacturers Wholesalers Importers Healthcare settings and stop smoking services Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Disposable vapes ban: What you need to know as single-use vapes are pulled from shelves
A ban on disposable vapes has come into force in the UK as the government attempts to crack down on youth nicotine addiction as well as the litter the single-use devices create. The crackdown makes it illegal for any retailer – ranging from corner shops to supermarkets – to sell them. The ban follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish from the discarding of the devices. 5.6 million adults were vaping in Great Britain in 2024, according to charity Action on Smoking Health (ASH). Here, The Independent looks at the reasons behind the ban and what it means for you: What vapes are being banned? The government is banning the sale of single-use disposable vapes in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A vape is single-use if it either has a battery that cannot be recharged or is not refillable. To be reusable, a vape must have a rechargeable battery and a refillable container that holds the vaping e-liquid. Why are they being banned? The government has provided two main reasons for the disposable vape ban. Firstly, to protect the environment. Nearly five million disposable vapes were littered or discarded every week in 2024, according to Material Focus. Most end up in general waste or as litter rather than being recycled. These vapes are hazardous during disposal, with built-in batteries posing a fire risk in bin lorries and recycling centres. They must be dismantled by hand to recycle, and if littered, can leak harmful chemicals into soil and waterways. Secondly, to reduce the number of young people vaping. The introduction of a new generation of disposable vapes in 2021 coincided with a significant increase in youth vaping. The new single-use vapes are relatively cheap, have bright and attractive packaging, are easy to use and are widely promoted. Although the rise in youth vaping has levelled off, disposables continue to be the most popular product among young people who vape, according to ASH. Can I keep using disposable vapes? The ban only applies to businesses selling disposable vapes, not to those who use them. However, the Local Government Association urged people to think twice before hoarding disposable vapes, warning that stockpiling them could pose life-threatening risks. There are concerns that some people are stocking up on single-use vapes, with research by online nicotine retailer Haypp finding 82 per cent of disposable vape users are planning to stockpile. The LGA has warned that the lithium batteries contained inside disposable vapes could cause fires and pose a risk to life if not stored correctly. Lithium batteries present a serious risk of fire, as there is the potential for them to enter into thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a battery reaches up to 600C, releasing toxic gases and creating a fire, according to charity Electrical Safety First. The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine. It applies to all businesses and organisations that sell or supply single-use vapes in the UK. This includes: Retailers – such as convenience stores, market stalls, petrol stations, specialist vape shops and supermarkets Manufacturers Wholesalers Importers Healthcare settings and stop smoking services Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending.
Sky News
2 days ago
- Health
- Sky News
Disposable vape ban begins - here's everything you need to know
A ban on disposable vapes is now in force across the UK. The ban on selling or supplying disposable vapes, announced in January last year, applies both in shops and online. Vapes have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, with usage growing by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023, according to the government. But why is the government cracking down on disposable ones, what are the punishments for continuing to sell them - and could there be wider vape bans in the future? Why are disposable vapes being banned? The UK-wide ban is designed to tackle waste and the impact of vapes on the environment. It only applies to disposable vapes, also known as single-use vapes, while reusable vapes can still be sold. Analysis by Material Focus released in December showed an estimated 8.2 million vapes were being thrown away or littered every week in the UK - the equivalent of 13 per second. Disposable vapes are typically thrown away in general waste bins or littered rather than being recycled, according to the government. Even when recycled, they usually need to be disassembled by hand, which is a slow and difficult process, it said. The government, in its latest guidance on the ban, called them an "inefficient use of critical resources" that "causes harm to biodiversity". It said their lithium-ion batteries can also cause fires, adding the ban would stop plastic, lead, and mercury from "leaching into the environment, which can cause waterways to be contaminated and poison our wildlife". The government has also said it hopes the ban will make vaping less accessible to children, as statistics show a growing popularity among those aged 11 to 15. NHS figures from last year showed nearly a quarter of children in that age bracket had tried vaping and nearly one in 10 did it frequently. 1:06 Is it illegal to own a disposable vape? No, having disposable vapes in your possession is not illegal if you are not intending to sell or supply them. Customers who still have disposable vapes will still be able to return the vapes and vape parts to shops that have sold them, and those shops will have an obligation to dispose of them properly. What if I still have a supply of disposable vapes? Any leftover disposable vapes will have to be recycled. The government says they should only be disposed of in vape bins and collected for recycling. 0:52 What is the punishment for continuing to sell and supply them? A variety of government agencies, including the Border Force, can inspect shops for illegal vapes and report anyone breaking the rules. Methods of punishment vary slightly depending on where in the UK you are found to be violating the rules. Here's a summary of how it will work in each country: England and Wales Civil sanctions can be applied in the first instance if you're found selling or supplying vapes. These can include a stop notice, a compliance notice or a fine of £200. If you continue to violate the rules, you can be charged with an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both. Scotland If you are found violating the rules, you could be slapped with a fixed penalty notice of £200, which, if paid within 14 days, would be discounted to £150. The fine rises by £200 every time you are caught. If you do not accept the fixed penalty notice, or in instances where an enforcement officer does not consider a fine appropriate, the offender can be fined £5,000, sentenced to two years in prison, or both. Northern Ireland There will be no civil sanctions in Northern Ireland, and anyone breaking the rules could instead receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a magistrates' court. On further conviction, you could face a prison sentence of up to two years. How to know the difference between a disposable and reusable vape A reusable vape must be rechargeable and refillable, meaning it has to have a battery and needs to have either a removable and replaceable coil or a chamber, pod or tank that can be refilled with e-liquid. To be considered reusable, replacement components like pre-filled pods, e-liquid refill bottles and coils must be separately available to buy either in-store or online. You can check whether specific products are reusable by checking the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's notified products list. If you search for a product and it doesn't appear, it means it is not legal to sell or supply, as all legal nicotine-containing vapes are listed. From 1 June, any single-use ones will be removed. Has the ban changed much so far? It was Rishi Sunak's Conservative government that originally proposed the ban before it was adopted by Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party. While the ban is only coming in now, a study by University College London (UCL) looked at the impact after it was announced in January 2024. Researchers found the proportion of people vaping increased by nearly a quarter each year from January 2022 to January 2024, but stayed constant between January 2024 and January this year, including for young people. They also said they saw a steep decline in disposable vape use after January 2024, particularly among 16- to 24-year-olds, whose use of disposables almost halved from 63% to 35%. While it's a positive development for the environment, lead author Dr Sarah Jackson said results suggested the ban "may have limited impact on vaping rates in general" and said it was "likely that people using these products will move to reusable versions rather than stop vaping completely". Vaping has been marketed as a way for cigarette smokers to quit and is generally considered to be healthier because you inhale nicotine in a vapour rather than smoke. Also vapes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide - two of the most damaging elements in tobacco smoke. But the long-term effects of vaping on people's health is not fully understood. The government has backed a 10-year study to track 100,000 young people and collect health data, which is expected to provide the most detailed information yet on the impacts of vaping. While there is no further ban on vapes in the works, the government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is currently in the committee stage at the House of Lords, includes powers to potentially restrict the packaging, marketing and flavours of e-cigarettes.
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Health
- See - Sada Elbalad
UK Implements Ban on Single-Use E-Cigarettes
Israa Farhan The United Kingdom has officially prohibited the sale of single-use e-cigarettes starting Sunday, following the example of Belgium and France. These disposable vaping devices, known for their colorful designs and sweet flavors, have gained popularity among young people since their introduction in 2021. Single-use e-cigarettes have been widely available across UK streets, contributing to nicotine addiction among children and teenagers. The ban targets the sale and distribution of these inexpensive products, with penalties including fines of £200 ($269) for first offences and potential imprisonment of up to two years for repeat violations. This legislation was initiated under the previous Conservative government and has now taken effect. Reports from the non-profit organization Material Focus reveal that around five million single-use e-cigarettes were discarded weekly in the UK in 2024, resulting in over 40 tonnes of lithium waste annually. This amount of lithium could power approximately 5,000 electric vehicles, and the discarded waste presents fire risks in household rubbish. Data from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) indicates that 11% of adults in the UK—about 5.6 million people—use e-cigarettes. Among young people aged 11 to 17, 18% (around 980,000 individuals) reported using e-cigarettes in 2024. The new law aims to reduce e-cigarette use among youth while maintaining access to products that support smoking cessation. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not produce harmful tar or carbon monoxide but still contain highly addictive nicotine. Following the announcement of the ban, the use of single-use e-cigarettes has declined significantly. Among e-cigarette users aged 18 to 24, the proportion using disposable devices dropped from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. Earlier this year, France and Belgium became the first European countries to ban single-use e-cigarettes, with Ireland currently considering similar measures. Industry representatives warn that the ban could encourage the growth of a black market, increasing the circulation of potentially unsafe products. The law criminalizes the sale of single-use e-cigarettes but does not prohibit their use, raising concerns about enforcement and public safety. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
