Uk vape ban could see people fined £200 and given possible prison sentences

SINGLE-USE VAPES WILL BE BANNED FROM SHOP SHELVES FROM SUNDAY 15:20, 31 May 2025 Single-use vapes will be banned from shop shelves from tomorrow as part of a government crackdown. From

tomorrow, Sunday 1 June, it will be illegal to sell single-use vapes at corner shops and supermarkets. Any traders found selling single-use vapes from tomorrow will be at risk of receiving a

£200 fine, with products being seized if found reoffending. Prison sentences and unlimited fines will also be possible for any traders who continue to sell the disposable products after

being cautioned. The ban comes into effect after being first revealed by the government in January last year in a bid to reduce the environmental impact of disposable vapes and to reduce

youth participation. Article continues below On the ban, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our

children on nicotine." She added: “The Government calls time on these nasty devices.” Research by the charity Action on Smoking and Health has shown that the number of young people

using disposable vapes has dropped over the last year with the number of 18-24-year-old vapers who mainly use single-use devices falling from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025. Caroline Cerny,

Deputy Chief Executive, Action on Smoking and Health said: “It’s promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban. This is

particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing.” She continued: “This new law is a

step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking. “It will be up to manufacturers and retailers to ensure customers are

informed and able to reuse and recycle their products securing a real change in consumer behaviour and a reduction in environmental waste. If behaviour does not change then further

regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.” The ban coming into force tomorrow is aimed at working alongside the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which looks to

tackle youth vaping and is working itself through Parliament. Retailers have been provided with clear guidance on the devices they cannot sell as part of the ban, and have received advice on

how to deplete their stock before 1 June. Article continues below Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: "Convenience retailers have been preparing for

the disposables ban for several months, adapting their ranges and training colleagues on the products that they can sell. "We have been working with Trading Standards officers across

the country to ensure they know what to look for once the ban comes into force, and support robust enforcement activity to take illegal vapes off the streets."