Government crackdown on single-use vapes

Today, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh announced that new legislation has been introduced in Parliament to prohibit the sale of single-use vapes starting June 1, 2025.

Single-use vapes cannot be recharged or refilled, leading most people to throw them away in regular trash bins or toss them on the ground instead of recycling them. This behavior results in a significant amount of litter in our neighborhoods. Even when these vapes are taken to recycling centers, they often need to be taken apart by hand, which is a time-consuming and challenging task that fails to keep up with the rapid production of vapes. Additionally, their lithium-ion batteries pose a fire hazard to those working in waste management.

In the past year, it was reported that nearly five million disposable vapes ended up as litter or were disposed of in regular trash each week in the UK. This figure is nearly four times higher than the previous year, averaging about eight vapes discarded every second. In 2022 alone, over 40 tonnes of lithium from these single-use vapes was thrown away, which is enough to power 5,000 electric cars.

Banning the sale of disposable vapes fulfills the Government's promise to tackle this significant concern. It marks the beginning of efforts towards a circular economy and aims to reduce the number of young people starting to vape. Additionally, this action helps safeguard our natural surroundings and keeps our streets clean from litter.

The number of people vaping in England increased over fourfold from 2012 to 2023, with 9.1% of the population now spending money on these products. The effects of vaping on health over the long term remain unclear. Additionally, the nicotine in vapes can be very addictive, and when individuals try to quit, they may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, difficulty focusing, and headaches.

The Minister for the Circular Economy, Mary Creagh, stated:

Disposable vapes contribute significantly to waste and are a nuisance in our communities.

That's why we're prohibiting single-use vapes as we work to eliminate our society's culture of disposability.

This is the initial move towards a circular economy, aiming to extend the lifespan of resources, minimize waste, speed up our journey to achieving net-zero emissions, and generate numerous job opportunities nationwide.

Andrew Gwynne, the Minister for Public Health and Prevention, remarked:

It's really concerning that last year, 25% of 11 to 15-year-olds tried vaping, and it's clear that disposable vapes are the most popular option among young people who vape.

Prohibiting disposable vapes will not only safeguard the environment but also significantly diminish their attraction for children, helping to prevent them from falling into the hands of at-risk youth.

The government plans to launch the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, a significant initiative for public health in recent years. This legislation aims to shield young individuals from developing an addiction to nicotine and is a step towards achieving a smoke-free United Kingdom.

In February 2024, a survey showed that 69% of people who took part supported limiting the sale and distribution of disposable vapes.

Prohibiting these vapes will prevent them from being discarded in regular trash, where they usually end up in landfills or are burned, creating a fire hazard because of their lithium-ion batteries and contributing to air pollution. Additionally, this ban will help stop plastic, lead, and mercury from seeping into the environment, which can contaminate water sources and harm wildlife.

The government has proposed a law to implement a ban, and if it gets approved by Parliament, companies will have until June 1, 2025, to sell off any remaining inventory and make the necessary adjustments before the ban takes effect. The UK government and regional governments have collaborated closely and will coordinate the dates for the ban’s implementation.

Libby Peake, the head of resources at Green Alliance, stated:

Single-use vapes are something our kids and the environment definitely don't need, yet the market for them has been allowed to expand for too long without regulation. Each one of these products squanders valuable resources essential for a greener economy, such as lithium, which is crucial for the batteries used in electric vehicles.

When discarded, the nicotine, plastic, and batteries in these items are all very dangerous. Even if they are placed in a trash can, their batteries can still explode. The government's decision to prohibit these hazardous devices is justified - it’s a positive move towards creating an economy that minimizes waste from the outset.

Environmental scientist and climate activist, Less Waste Laura stated:

Disposable vapes surged into the market, emerging as one of the first widely used single-use electronic devices to clutter our streets. They symbolize the ongoing transformation of the tobacco industry.

The UK Government's decision to prohibit single-use items starting in 2025 is an important and positive development. This ban aims not only to reduce the litter caused by vapes but also to address the growing trend of disposable technology, which contributes to a significant rise in electronic waste. This increase poses fire hazards and depletes valuable resources.

I support the ban from a health perspective as well, viewing it as vital for freeing young people from the influence of vaping. Additionally, it addresses the disposable culture that poses a serious risk to our environment.

According to the latest government statistics, the recycling rate for household waste dropped to 44.1% in 2022.

This prohibition is a step taken by the government to eliminate the culture of disposability in the country and to tackle the overwhelming amount of waste that is cluttering our streets, countryside, and oceans.

The Environment Secretary has identified one of his top five goals as promoting a future where we maximize the use of our resources, speed up our journey to achieving net zero emissions, and boost funding for essential infrastructure and jobs in the green sector.

For more details about the environmental impact of disposable vapes, please click here.