It's almost the day nicotine lovers around the UK have been dreading.
From tomorrow (1 June), the sale and supply of disposable vapes will be banned across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The ban has come about following rising concerns over access to nicotine products among younger generations, as well as the growing volume of electronic waste produced by single-use vapes, with government ministers saying the move will help end 'an avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation’s streets.'
Here's everything you need to know.
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What is the ban?
From 1 June 2025, it will be illegal to sell, supply or possess for sale or supply any single-use vapes, including non-nicotine versions, in the UK.
The ban will apply to both high street and online retailers, who will only be able to legally sell vapes that are rechargeable, refillable and have a coil that can be easily replaced.
Any vape which does not meet all of these requirements will be illegal.
Anyone found breaking the rules will be charged an on-the-spot fine of £200, while re-offenders may face unlimited fines or jail time.
Why is the ban of disposable vapes happening?
The are two primary reasons behind the ban.
First, government officials say the move is designed to protect young people from developing nicotine dependencies.
Sarah Sleet, chief executive at Asthma + Lung UK, says: "With their pocket money prices, and child-friendly marketing and flavour options making them more accessible, disposables have fuelled the worrying rise in the number of children vaping."
According to Action on Smoking and Health, the proportion of 11 to 17-year-olds in England who reported using vapes increased from 14 percent in 2020 to approximately 20 percent in 2023.
And the second reason is the environmental impact.
It is estimated that five million disposable vapes are discarded each week in the UK. As well as being an eyesore, littered vapes can introduce harmful chemicals into the soil, rivers and streams. And many of these vapes end up in landfill, where valuable materials are wasted instead of being recycled.
What will be changing?
Retailers must stop selling or supplying disposable vapes by 1 June and any stock must either be sold or safely disposed of before this deadline.
Any remaining products legally on sale must be reusable and retailers should offer a 'take back' recycling service for used vapes, pods, coils and batteries.
As for those of us who enjoy an occasional puff on pineapple-flavoured air, any single-use vapes bought before the ban are not illegal to use.
But once your supply is gone, it'll be time to move onto something much more permanent. Or you know, just quit...
What are the aims of the vape ban?
Although the ban specifically targets disposable vapes, it fits into the Tobacco and Vapes Bill (2024–25).
Most notable in the bill is the aim to create a 'smoke-free generation' by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Using an incremental approach, the government are looking to effectively phase out legal tobacco sales, creating a completely smoke-free country.
Bec Oakes