Disposable vapes to be banned in England next June, says Labour
The government has announced that disposable vapes will no longer be allowed for sale in England starting next summer.
Starting in June 2025, selling single-use e-cigarettes will be prohibited. This decision aims to address environmental harm and the increasing usage of these products among young people.
On Wednesday, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the legislation had been presented in parliament. The department mentioned that it collaborated closely with the local governments on the ban and intends to synchronize the dates when it will take effect.
Defra announced that companies will have until June 1 of next year to sell off any leftover inventory they have and get ready for the upcoming ban.
The minister for the circular economy, Mary Creagh, expressed that disposable vapes are highly wasteful and have a negative impact on our towns and cities.
She explained, "This is why we're putting a stop to single-use vapes as we work to eliminate our country's culture of disposability. It's the initial move toward a circular economy, where we maximize the use of resources, minimize waste, hasten our journey to net-zero emissions, and generate thousands of jobs nationwide."
The vaping industry advocates claim that this legislation will lead to an increase in illegal sales of disposable vapes.
John Dunne, the head of the UK Vaping Industry Association, spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Today show on Thursday, expressing concerns about the latest draft of the legislation he reviewed before the new government took office. He noted that it did not propose a ban on importing products that would be prohibited for sale. In his opinion, this oversight could lead to an increase in black market activity.
Dunne mentioned that people who vape are purchasing products from international websites and noted that the black market for vapes has become something that officials struggle to control.
Rishi Sunak's administration introduced the bill regarding the matter, but there wasn't enough time to address it in the last parliament.
The proposed legislation on tobacco and vaping would ensure that individuals born in 2009 and later will never be able to buy tobacco products by incrementally increasing the minimum purchase age. Additionally, the bill seeks to enforce limitations on how vapes can be sold and advertised to minors.
Last year, it was estimated that nearly 5 million disposable vapes were either tossed out as trash or ended up as litter each week in the UK—about four times the amount from the year before.
According to Defra, the use of vapes in England increased by over 400% from 2012 to 2023, with 9.1% of the population now purchasing and using these products.
Health Minister Andrew Gwynne expressed concern, stating, “It is concerning that 25% of children aged 11 to 15 vaped last year, and disposable vapes are the most popular option among young users. By prohibiting disposable vapes, we can not only help the environment but also significantly decrease their attractiveness to kids, helping to prevent them from getting into the hands of at-risk youth.”
The government is set to roll out a new bill concerning tobacco and vaping, marking the most significant public health effort in recent times. This initiative aims to safeguard young individuals from developing nicotine addictions and is a step towards achieving a smoke-free UK.
