Damage from disposable vapes will outlive the ban in one expensive way - Daily Record

Damage from disposable vapes will outlive the ban in one expensive wayDisposing of vapes in one incorrect way could lead to pricey home repairs, industry experts have warned.LifestyleRachel

Cronin Trainee Trends Writer21:00, 30 May 2025The vape ban comes into force on June 1(Image: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) The UK ban on disposable vapes

officially comes into force this Sunday, June 1, when it will become outlawed to sell the colourful throwaway nicotine sticks. The government aims to protect the environment from harmful

chemicals found in the disposable products, as well as deter young people and kids from turning towards this nasty habit that's been found to increase the risk of heart disease, organ

failure and even dementia.

But although the ban will no doubt decrease the harm done by disposable vapes to Britain's wildlife, experts have warned of one place that the disposables could leave a concerning legacy:

our drain pipes.

‌ Although most of the elements of disposable vapes can be recycled, many people opt to throw them in their household waste, which can not only pose a serious fire risk, but could end in a

hefty £600 fine and even void your home insurance.

‌More vaping storiesScotland's 'litter emergency' and vapesHow the vape ban could improve sex livesGP's 10 tips to quit vapingWhich vapes will be illegal in ban? Vapes are categorised as

Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), which has strict rules for disposal, and binning them in your household waste could result in a fine for breaching your household waste duty of

care.

But rather than bin or recycle them, many vapers have opted to flush their used disposable vapes down the toilet, which, even after the ban, will leave a concerning lasting effect on

drainage systems and could lead to pricey repairs, according to industry experts.

Article continues below Jacob Larkin from campaign group Unblocktober said: “The rising number of vape users is unfortunately reflected in our drains. Disposable vape cartridges &

e-cigarette butts are being flushed, which don’t break down and clog drains.”

The ban comes into force on Sunday(Image: Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images) Home insurance and maintenance expert Anna Thunstrom from Saga home insurance warns that domestic drain

repairs could cost anywhere between £50-£400.

‌ She urges homeowners to think twice before flushing their soon-to-be-banned vape products, or risk a costly bill.

Thunstrom said: "The severity, location, and repair method that's needed to clear a blocked drain all influence how much it could cost. This could range anywhere from £50 to maybe even £400.

Don't forget you’ll also need to pay the call-out fee, which could be around £50, up to £200 for out of hours.

‌ “Most standard home insurance policies will cover water damage caused by overflowing drains, but they typically don’t cover unblocking the drain itself. However, some insurers offer home

emergency insurance as an optional add-on.

"This can cover the cost of an approved tradesperson to fix unusable kitchen sinks, blocked toilets, or other clogged drains in your home.”

As well as parts of vaping products, other culprits found to be blocking Britain's drains include food waste, hair, coffee grounds and sanitary products like tampons, pads, and nappies.

Article continues below It's vital to avoid flushing anything other than human waste or toilet paper, concluded the experts.

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