What Type Of Vapes Will Be Banned In The UK?
The UK government is set to implement a significant change in the vaping landscape with a ban on disposable vapes. This measure, aimed at tackling growing environmental concerns and curb youth vaping, will have a substantial impact on the vaping industry. Here’s a comprehensive look at what you need to know about the upcoming legislation.
What Exactly is Being Banned?
The ban on disposable vapes, confirmed in 2024 through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, will come into force on 1 June 2025. This legislation targets the sale and supply of single-use vapes, which are defined as vaping products that are not designed or intended to be reused. To be exempt from the ban, a vape must be both rechargeable and refillable.
The ban is specific to vapes meeting any of the following criteria:
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Non-Rechargeable:
Devices with batteries that cannot be recharged.
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Non-Refillable
Pre-filled devices where the e-liquid cannot be replenished, including those with sealed cartridges or pods not designed for user replacement.
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Not Both Rechargeable and Refillable
Even if a vape is one but not the other, it will be classified as single use and banned.
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Non-Replaceable Coils
Devices with coils that cannot be easily replaced by the user, often found in disposable products.
Essentially, any vape where users cannot independently replenish the e-liquid and recharge the battery for continued use will be prohibited. This ban applies regardless of whether the single-use vape contains nicotine or not.
From 1st of june 2025, it will be illegal to sell, supply or possess for sale any single-use or 'disposable' vapes. Retailers found in violation will face penalties enforced by Trading Standards and local authorities. Organizations like Cancer Research UK and Smoke-free UK welcome the ban as a step towards protecting public health and the environment. The Department of Health and Social Care is actively working to support vapers in this transition.
Big Puff Disposables: Already Walking a Legal Tightrope
It's important to highlight that a significant portion of what are commonly known as "big puff" disposable vapes were already operating in a legally grey area, and many were technically illegal even before this comprehensive ban was announced. UK regulations, specifically the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), stipulate that vape tanks and pods containing nicotine are limited to a maximum capacity of 2ml. This restriction inherently limits the number of puffs a compliant disposable vape can offer, typically around 600 puffs.
Many popular disposable devices on the market advertised as "big puff" vapes, often boasting puff counts in the thousands, achieve this by exceeding the legal 2ml tank capacity for nicotine-containing e-liquid. Some manufacturers have attempted to circumvent these regulations through various means. Such as using multiple small pods within one device or marketing non-nicotine versions (which aren't subject to the same capacity limits) alongside their nicotine-containing counterparts. However, these workarounds often still fall foul of the intended spirit and letter of the law.
The upcoming ban will unequivocally include these larger capacity disposable vapes. Regardless of any previous attempts to navigate the regulations. This means that vapers who have been using these high-puff disposable products will need to transition to compliant rechargeable vapes and e-liquids after the 1st of june 2025. This move aims to ensure that all vaping products on the market adhere to safety and regulatory standards. Further protecting public health and preventing the sale and supply of illegal vapes. Retailers should be particularly aware that stocking and selling these non-compliant "big puff" disposable vapes will become strictly prohibited under the new legislation. Adding to the existing legal risks associated with their sale.
