Latest news with #disposableVapes
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Disposable vapes are now banned from UK shops. This is what you need to know
The government has banned the sale of single-use disposable vapes in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland to combat youth nicotine addiction and environmental pollution. The ban makes it illegal for retailers, including corner shops and supermarkets, to sell disposable vapes, which are defined as having non-rechargeable batteries or non-refillable containers. The primary reasons for the ban are to protect the environment and reduce vaping among young people; it applies to both online and in-store sales of all disposable vapes, regardless of nicotine content. The Local Government Association (LGA) has cautioned against stockpiling disposable vapes due to the risk of fires caused by lithium batteries, which can enter thermal runaway and release toxic gases. Retailers can still sell reusable vapes, but those who continue to sell disposable vapes face a £200 fine for the first offense, with potential for unlimited fines or jail time for repeat offenses.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Vapers warned not to stockpile ‘fire risk' disposables before UK ban
Vapers have been warned not to stockpile soon-to-be-banned disposables before Sunday's outright ban as they 'pose a significant fire risk'. The Local Government Association (LGA) said users were stocking up on single-use e-cigarettes while they could, as shops would face fines for selling them after the ban takes effect. And although the temptation from consumers may be to hoard their favourite flavours, the LGA said the lithium batteries inside could become a hazard if not stored correctly. David Fothergill, the chair of the LGA's community wellbeing board, said: 'We want to remind businesses to ensure all remaining stocks of disposable vapes are sold, and only buying vapes that follow the new regulations. 'If businesses have any single-use vapes in their possession after Sunday, they will not be able to sell them to shoppers and must ensure they are stored and disposed of safely. 'We would also urge caution to anyone stockpiling disposable vapes. Failing to store disposable vapes correctly could cost lives, given the significant fire risk they pose.' According to research by Haypp, an online nicotine retailer, 82% of disposable vape users are planning to stockpile. The ban is designed to reduce youth vaping and tackle the environmental damage caused by millions of the devices being thrown away each week. Retailers have been told to clear remaining stock and ensure leftover products are disposed of safely. Material Focus, a non-profit focused on improving electrical recycling in the UK, said 5 million disposable vapes were incorrectly discarded each week in the UK in 2024 – nearly four times higher than the previous year. Many contain lithium-ion batteries, posing fire risks and leaching toxic chemicals into the environment when binned incorrectly. Scott Butler, the executive director of Material Focus, said: 'Thirteen vapes every second are being incorrectly gotten rid of, and that's a huge environmental pollution problem. The liquid in many vape batteries is toxic and could run into waterways, as well as harm animals. It's also a significant fire risk because lithium batteries are known to cause fires when crushed with general waste.' 'Vapes are a huge environmental pollution problem, so we hope the ban goes some way to reducing waste,' he added. Disposables are also the most common device used by children who vape, with more than 20% of UK children having tried vaping, according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). The devices are often sold in sweet flavours and brightly coloured packaging, which campaigners say appeal to underage users. Under the new rules, only vapes that are rechargeable, refillable and fitted with a replaceable coils (the heating element) will be allowed. Experts worry the industry may have already found ways to sidestep the UK government's ban, while cheaper vape imports rerouted from the US risk pushing down prices further. There are also concerns that new US tariffs on Chinese imports may increase cheap vape shipments to the UK, making enforcement of the ban more difficult. Hazel Cheeseman, the deputy chief executive of ASH, said: 'There's already a sizeable illegal market. Whether the disposable vapes ban makes that risk greater, I guess that depends on how quickly the legitimate retailers are making products available to people that suit their needs. 'People don't necessarily want to go looking for illegal products if they can buy legitimate products in their local corner shop or supermarket that meet their needs, why would they go off looking for dodgy ones?' There are also concerns about policing the vapes at borders and ports, said Kate Pike, the lead officer for vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, who stressed that stronger import controls would be essential. 'We have extra funding to do more at ports and borders … From our point of view, it's important, because obviously it makes a big difference if we can stop [illegal vapes entering the country],' she said.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
UK ban on disposable vapes goes into effect
The long-term health risks of vaping remain unclear. (AFP pic) LONDON : A ban on disposable vapes goes into effect across the UK tomorrow in a bid to protect children's health and tackle a 'throwaway' culture. 'For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine,' junior environment minister Mary Creagh said. She said the government was calling 'time on these nasty devices' – a type of e-cigarette which are very popular with young people – and banning sales of single-use vapes or their supply in a crackdown on UK corner shops and supermarkets. Those caught flouting the ban will face a £200 fine, while repeat offenders risk up to two years in prison. Young people and children in particular have been attracted to cheap and colourful disposable vapes, which have snazzy flavours such as mint, chocolate, mango or watermelon, since they were introduced in the UK in 2021. In 2024, nearly 5 million disposable vapes were thrown away each week, according to Material Focus, an independent UK-based non-profit. More than 40 tonnes of lithium, a key metal used in the technology industry, was discarded each year along with single-use vapes – enough to power 5,000 electrical vehicles, the NGO said. Fire services have also warned about the risk of discarded vapes catching light among household rubbish. 'Every vape has potential to start a fire if incorrectly disposed of,' said Justin Greenaway, commercial manager at electronic waste processing company SWEEEP Kuusakoski. The new law, first proposed by the previous Conservative government, also aims to stem a rise in vaping. 'This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking,' said Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive for health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). A recent ASH survey said 11% of adults vape, or about 5.6 million people, and 18% of 11 to 17 year olds – about 980,000 under 18s. Among vapers, some 52% of young adults aged between 18 to 24 preferred single-use vapes. The long-term health risks of vaping remain unclear. E-cigarettes do not produce tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most harmful elements in tobacco smoke. But they do still contain highly addictive nicotine. The upcoming ban has already led to a fall in disposable vapes. According to ASH, the use of disposables by 18-24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. The UK ban follows similar European moves. Belgium and France became the first EU countries to ban sales of disposable vapes. Ireland is also preparing to introduce new restrictions. But critics have argued many users will simply switch to refillable or reusable vaping devices, which will limit the impact on nicotine consumption. And industry experts say the ban could lead to more illegal products entering the UK market. The bill 'only makes it illegal to sell disposable vapes – it does not prohibit their use', warned Dan Marchant, director of Vape Club, the UK's largest online vape retailer. 'We risk a surge of illegal and potentially dangerous items flooding the black market.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Wiltshire shop owner forced to ditch vape stock as ban begins
A vape shop owner says he will be forced to bin more than 1,000 disposable vapes ahead of the ban this new government rules make the sale and supply of single use and disposable vapes illegal from 1 June. Aref Bareqzia owns Smok Vape City in Chippenham, Wiltshire, where disposable vapes make up the majority of his said the upcoming ban will have a detrimental impact on his business adding: "I'm losing money, the business is losing money. This whole year's profit is gone."The ban was introduced to tackle their impact on the environment with disposable and single use vapes defined as being non refillable and use a battery which cannot be recharged. It is also hoped the move will help cut the number of children and young people vaping. Mr Bareqzia said he understands the reason for the ban but added that it does not make things easier: "I have nearly 1,000 (disposable vapes), maybe even 1,500.""I'm going to be struggling for a long time to be honest."Retailers caught breaking the law in England face a minimum £200 fine, with a prison sentence of up to two years for repeat offences. Penalties are broadly similar in Scotland, Wales and Northern Standards will be able to seize any single-use vapes they find. The government said the ban is part of a crackdown on littering, calling them an "inefficient use of critical resources" that "causes harm to biodiversity".Last year, Material Focus estimated that almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in the UK.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plea for public help ahead of disposable vape ban
Trading Standards bosses are urging people to report retailers that flout the incoming disposable vape ban. It will be illegal for businesses to sell or supply single-use vapes from 1 June in the UK as part of efforts to reduce environmental damage and protect children and young people. Nottinghamshire County Council's Trading Standards teams are working with retailers ahead of the ban. Team manager Fiona Needham said she hopes concerned members of the public or businesses will report those breaking the law. The ban will make it illegal for businesses to offer to sell or supply disposable vapes and have them in their possession for sale or supply online and in shops. It will apply to all disposable vapes whether they contain nicotine or not. Retailers will have to ensure any reusable vapes comply with three elements - having a rechargeable battery, being refillable, and if the vape has a coil it has to be replaceable by the average consumer. Ms Needham said: "We're wanting businesses to already be geared up for it so speak to your suppliers."Make sure that they're only buying vapes that are reusable rather than disposable now so there won't be a problem when the ban comes in." She added Trading Standards expects businesses to start stocking reusable vapes now and to get rid of disposable products by selling them or taking them off the will be advised on what to do with remaining stock once the ban comes in, Ms Needham added. The ban concerns the selling or supply of the products, but consumers will still be allowed to use them. Ms Needham said, like with other banned products in England, there was concern disposable products might be "sold under the counter". Enforcing the ban "When the ban comes in, if businesses are concerned about other businesses continuing to sell disposable vapes or consumers are then they will be able to report those instances to the Citizens Advice consumer services [online or via phone]," she added. Trading Standards officers will be given powers to seize the products and give out sanctions, which can include a formal stop notice or compliance notice - requiring a business to take action or stop doing something - and a fine of £200."In some circumstances we may go beyond that and we may take them through the civil courts in terms of a prosecution where they may receive a fine or receive a prison sentence of up to two years, or both," Ms Needham said. Consumers will be able to recycle disposable vapes in stores with a recycling service or they will be able to take them to any Nottinghamshire County Council recycling centre.
