The UK government has officially announced that, starting June 1, 2025, disposable vapes will be banned across the country. As a dedicated vape retailer, we at Vaping 101 want to ensure that our customers are fully informed and prepared for this major shift in the industry.
This ban will affect millions of vapers who rely on disposable devices, but it also opens up opportunities for a more sustainable and cost-effective future. In this blog, we’ll break down the key reasons behind the ban, what it means for you as a consumer, and how we can help you transition to reusable alternatives.
Why Is the UK Government Is Banning Disposable Vapes?
The decision to ban disposable vapes is driven by a few major concerns by the UK government we will give their points across and our counters to them:
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Environmental Impact – Disposable vapes contribute significantly to electronic waste, with millions being discarded weekly. These devices contain batteries, plastics, and other materials that are difficult to recycle, leading to pollution and landfill overflow.
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Youth Vaping Concerns – Disposable vapes have become increasingly popular among teenagers due to their affordability and ease of access. The ban aims to curb underage vaping by removing these easy-to-obtain products from the market.
Our Counters to the claims made by the UK Government
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Environmental Impact – It's acknowledged that disposable vapes contribute significantly to waste, with approximately 5 million units discarded weekly in the UK. However, many retailers have implemented in-store recycling programs to mitigate this issue. For instance, all UK retailers selling vapes are required to accept old devices for recycling, making disposal more convenient for consumers.
Additionally, specialised recycling initiatives, such as those by Recover, offer custom bins, training, and WEEE reporting ensuring proper disposal and recycling of disposable vapes. While these efforts are commendable, the effectiveness of recycling programs is limited by consumer participation and awareness. Studies indicate that a significant number of users are either unaware of proper disposal methods or find them inconvenient, leading to improper disposal and environmental harm. Therefore, while recycling initiatives are a step in the right direction, addressing the environmental impact of disposable vapes requires a multifaceted approach, including increased consumer education and potentially exploring more sustainable product designs. -
Youth Vaping Concerns – The law in the UK is clear: vape sales are strictly 18+ and all retailers should be conducting ID checks on every transaction. However, outside of major retailers like us, VPZ, VapeUK, and Vape Club, many simply don’t enforce these rules. In Aberdeen alone, one retailer has been raided by Trading Standards five times, yet they continue selling vapes. This lack of consequence is largely due to local councils failing to take action, rarely issuing fines or meaningful penalties. Without proper enforcement, the problem will only persist.
- As a proud member of UKVIA the UK's Vaping Trade Association, we have been calling for a licensing scheme for over 5 years. At present, corner shops, kebab shops, tanning salons and every man and their dog are free to sell vapes. These premises have no experienced staff, unlike dedicated vape stores. The UKVIA has proposed a licensing scheme where stores pay for the licence and all monies raised go towards Trading Standards in an effort to police the industry. Strangely, the Government are against this, which really makes you wonder.
Poor Enforcement From Government
Enforcing regulations on the sale of disposable vapes to underage individuals and the distribution of illegal vape products in the UK has faced significant challenges. Despite numerous violations, a substantial number of offenders have not been penalised. The law already and has done for years, state it is illegal to sell to under 18's, lack of enforcement is the issue, not the products themselves.
Fines for Selling to Underage Individuals:
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Prevalence of Underage Sales: In 2023, Liverpool City Council identified 54 businesses selling vapes to minors, the highest in the UK. Belfast City Council reported 46 cases, and South Lanarkshire had 35. Notably, Belfast fined all 77 perpetrators caught selling vapes to underage individuals since 2020. Similarly, South Lanarkshire issued fines to all 35 offenders during the same period. These regions have the authority to impose on-the-spot fines, which has contributed to more consistent enforcement.
Limited Enforcement Elsewhere: Conversely, many areas have seen a lack of stringent enforcement. In 2023, 60% of UK businesses caught selling vapes to children avoided fines, with total fines amounting to just £126,000. This indicates that a significant number of offenders faced no financial penalties. talkingretail.com
Fines for Selling Illegal Vape Products:
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Widespread Non-Compliance: In 2023, nearly 3,000 sellers were identified for distributing illegal vapes across the UK. However, only about 5% faced fines, meaning 95% of these illegal vape sellers went unpunished.
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Regional Enforcement Examples: Lincolnshire Trading Standards reported seizing 9,430 vapes in the 2022-2023 period and 6,847 in the subsequent months up to January 2024. Despite these significant seizures, the number of fines issued was relatively low, with only a handful of prosecutions leading to financial penalties.
Calls for Stricter Penalties:
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Industry Recommendations: UKVIA, the vaping trade association, has advocated for increasing fines to ten thousand pounds for retailers selling vapes to children, arguing that current penalties are insufficient deterrents.
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Government Initiatives: The UK government has announced plans to introduce on-the-spot fines of £100 for shops in England and Wales that sell vapes illegally to children, aiming to streamline enforcement and deter underage sales.
These findings underscore the need for more robust and consistent enforcement of regulations concerning the sale of vapes to minors and the distribution of illegal vape products across the UK.
The Data In Scotland
In Scotland last year it was found that 48 business had been caught selling illegal vapes reported by councils in 1st January 2023 to 29th February 2024 with Glasgow & Ayrshire reported to be selling the most illegal vape.
Illegal Vapes Seized In Scotland
While the amount of vapes seized in Scotland is high with Edinburgh being 5871 products alot of this product will get caught before in getting into the UK most getting caught at the port of dover and the Eurotunnel.
All this data was provided by vapesuperstore using Freedom Of Information requests.
Which Disposables Are Being Banned?
With the upcoming ban on disposable vapes, the law specifies that only single-use, non-rechargeable disposables will be affected. This means popular models like the Elf Bar 600, SKE Crystal 600, and Lost Mary 600 will no longer be available.
However, larger disposables, such as 6000-puff and 10,000-puff devices, will still be allowed, as they fall outside the ban's restrictions.
How Will This Affect Vapers?
For many vapes this will out change much as you'll still being able to buy your pods and nic salts but on the other hand new vapers and even who have used disposable to quit smoking they will be forced to move to pods.
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Reusable Vape Kits – Rechargeable vape devices with refillable pods or tanks are a long-term investment that offers better performance and customization options.
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Pre-Filled Pod Systems – While disposables are being phased out, many brands still offer closed pod systems with replaceable cartridges, maintaining convenience without the waste.
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E-Liquid and Refillable Pods – If you enjoy different flavours, switching to refillable pod systems allows you to explore a wide variety of e-liquids while reducing waste.
The Rise of the Black Market
When a popular product is banned, demand doesn’t disappear it simply shifts elsewhere. With the UK’s upcoming ban on disposable vapes, we can expect a surge in black-market sales. Illicit sellers will continue to supply these products, but at a significant risk to consumers. Unregulated disposables often contain substandard or even harmful e-liquids, as they are produced without oversight or adherence to safety standards.
Even as reputable brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, and SKE comply with the ban, counterfeit versions will undoubtedly flood the market. Based on the current state of enforcement, it is unlikely that Trading Standards will effectively curb this influx. We have already seen how poorly illegal vape sales are handled today after the ban, this problem will only escalate.
Instead of addressing the real issue poor enforcement the ban simply pushes consumers toward unsafe alternatives. A more effective solution would have been stronger regulation, a licensing system, and stricter penalties for those selling to minors and distributing illegal products. Unfortunately, the government has chosen prohibition, which history shows rarely eliminates demand but instead fuels an unregulated underground market.
The Benefits of Switching to Reusable Vapes
Though this ban may seem like an inconvenience at first, switching to a reusable vape system has many advantages:
✅ Cost-Effective – A disposable vape can cost £5-£10 per unit, whereas a rechargeable device with e-liquid refills costs significantly less overtime.
✅ More Flavour Variety – With refillable devices, you’ll have access to a broader range of flavours compared to the limited selection of disposables.
✅ Better Performance – Reusable vapes often deliver a superior vaping experience, including better battery life, smoother hits, and more customization.
✅ Eco-Friendly Choice – Reducing waste is one of the biggest benefits of switching to a refillable system, helping to protect the environment while still enjoying vaping.
How Vaping 101 Can Help You Transition
At Vaping 101, we are fully committed to helping our customers make the switch seamlessly. We offer:
✔️ Expert Advice – Our team is on hand to help you find the best reusable device that suits your needs. ✔️ Starter Kits – Affordable and easy-to-use starter kits for vapers transitioning from disposables. ✔️ E-Liquid Bundles – Special offers on e-liquids to help you stock up and save money. ✔️ Trade-In Program – Some stores may offer trade-in discounts for customers switching from disposables to reusable systems.
Final Thoughts
While the UK’s disposable vape ban marks the end of an era for single-use vaping, it also presents an opportunity to move towards more sustainable, cost-effective, and high-quality vaping solutions. If you’re unsure about how to transition, don’t worry we’re here to help every step of the way.
Come visit us at Vaping 101 in Aberdeen on Union Street, or check out our online store for exclusive deals and expert guidance on making the switch before June 1st. Let’s embrace a better, greener vaping future together!
