Starting June 1, 2025, the UK will implement a ban on the sale and distribution of single-use vapes
From June 1, 2025, single-use vapes will be banned across the UK. The upcoming ban impacts all brands of disposable vapes, including well-known names like Elf Bar and Lost Mary. This means that selling or supplying vapes intended for one-time use will be illegal.
Starting June 1, it will be against the law to sell or supply single-use vapes, whether online or in physical stores. This applies to all vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. Businesses will not be allowed to sell, supply, or even offer single-use vapes once the ban is in place.
They are also required to clear out all current inventory. This ban is expected to drive a change in the market towards refillable and reusable vaping devices. A reusable vape should include a rechargeable battery, be capable of being refilled with e-liquid, and have a coil that can be replaced. Vapes that remain legal need to be refillable and equipped with replacement coils.
The ban hopes to tackle important environmental issues, since disposable vapes add to electronic waste and include materials such as lithium, which create disposal difficulties. Disposed vapes may also leak toxic substances, create fire hazards, and endanger wildlife. There is also an increasing trend of vaping among younger age groups, which raises public health concerns.
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “Single-use vapes are extremely wasteful and blight our towns and cities. That is why we are banning single-use vapes as we end this nation’s throwaway culture. This is the first step on the road to a circular economy, where we use resources for longer, reduce waste, accelerate the path to net zero and create thousands of jobs across the country.”
Up to 57% of UK smokers think vaping is as bad or worse than smoking, according to research funded by Cancer Research UK. However, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and illness – and although national smoking rates are falling, progress has slowed and is stalling in some regions. According to ASH, nearly three million people in Britain successfully stopped smoking by using vapes over the past five years.
Full list of vapes affected by the ban:
The ban is aimed specifically at single-use devices. Flavoured e-liquids will still be accessible for compliant vape devices and brands. Vapers are urged to switch to reusable vaping devices that can be both recharged and refilled, since these will still be allowed after the ban.
- Elf Bar 600
- Elf Bar AF5000
- Lost Mary BM600
- Lost Mary BM6000
- PIXL 6000
- SKE Crystal Bar 600
- SKE Crystal Bar CL6000
What vapes can still be sold after the ban?
Alternatives to disposables include nicotine pouches, vape pod kits, refillable pod systems, and vape mods. According to VapeStreams, these are the devices that will still be legal after June 1.
- Elf Bar 4 in 1: This device offers multiple pre-filled pods in one kit and features a rechargeable battery. If the pods are replaceable and the battery is rechargeable, it aligns with the reusable criteria.
- Elf Bar 600 Prefilled Pod System: If this system allows for pod replacement and battery recharging, it would be considered reusable. However, if the pods are not replaceable or the battery isn’t rechargeable like the ELF BAR 600 original device, it would fall under the ban. But need not to worry as the new prefilled system allows for replacements so you don’t have to compromise on your favourite flavours or vaping style.
- Lost Mary BM600 Prefilled Pod System: Similar to the Elf Bar 600, its compliance depends on the replaceability of pods and the rechargeability of the battery. And the new prefilled model is 100% legal and compliant, ensuring a smooth transition that you will barely notice.
- Lost Mary 4 in 1: This model provides multiple pre-filled replaceable pods and a rechargeable battery, meaning that it meets the reusable criteria.
- SKE Crystal 600 Pro: To ensure compliance SKE has launched an new version of the Crystal Bar, the Pro device is rechargeable and allows for pod replacement, so you can continue enjoying the flavours you love.
- SKE Crystal CL6000: Designed a rechargeable battery and high puff count pre-filled replacement pods makes it 100% compliant after the ban on June 1.
- IVG Pro 12: This is one of the latest IVG vape devices that have been designed and manufactured with the ban in mind, so it comes with a rechargeable battery and replacement prefilled pods making it legal and compliant after the ban.
- IVG SAVR: Equipped with a rechargeable battery and refillable pods, it aligns with the reusable criteria and is safe to use post-ban.
- IVG 2400: All the new 2400 devices come equipped with a rechargeable battery, and the prefilled pods are soon to be launched. Making it compliant as it is both rechargeable and refillable.
- Lost Mary Nera: This model is designed as a reusable big puff vape kit, featuring a rechargeable battery and replaceable pods, making it compliant post-ban.
How much is the fine for selling disposable vapes?
The ban is aimed directly at businesses that sell and distribute single-use vapes. Once the ban is implemented, the general public will not face any penalties for owning or using disposable vapes. But, the selling of single-use vapes will be illegal.
The government says: “You must arrange to recycle any leftover stock of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025. You can still sell and supply vapes that are reusable.”
However, it’s important for buyers to understand that purchasing single-use vapes from stores after June 1, 2025, will be considered an illegal act, since the sale of these items will be banned. Consumers should also be wary of illicit and counterfeit vapes, as unregulated products may fail to meet safety standards and can contain unknown substances, posing health risks. Look out for fake branding and check for proper packaging, safety markings and authenticity codes.
It will still be legal to bring disposable vapes into the UK for personal use. However, selling them after re-entering the country will remain illegal. If something seems off, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers (0800 555 111). You can also inform your local council.
Regarding the consequences for selling non-compliant vapes post-ban, retailers may encounter fines, product confiscation, and possible legal proceedings. How the ban is enforced varies between the UK’s four nations and is specific to where your business operates. For full guidance on the new rules, visit the UK Government’s official page on the single-use vape ban.
England:
In the first instance, Trading Standards will apply civil sanctions (non-criminal penalties). For example, a stop notice, a compliance notice and a fine of £200. Trading Standards can seize any single-use vapes they find. If you continue to stock, sell or supply single-use vapes (or offer to), you may be charged with an unlimited fine and a prison sentence of up to two years.
You may also receive an additional cost recovery notice. This means you must pay the costs incurred by Trading Standards while investigating your offence, including investigative, administrative and legal costs.
Wales:
Enforcement authorities may apply civil sanctions, such as a fixed fine of £200 or a variable fine of more than £200, an enforcement cost recovery notice, a non-compliance penalty and a stop notice. Alternatively, you could be tried in a magistrates’ court or Crown Court. You may be given an unlimited fine and prison sentence of up to six months if:
- you’re found guilty in a magistrates’ court of stocking, selling or supplying single-use vapes
- you fail to follow a stop notice
You may be given a prison sentence of up to two years and an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty in a Crown Court of one of these offences. You may need to pay an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty in a magistrates’ court of obstructing an enforcement officer and failing to follow an enforcement officer’s requests.
Scotland:
Enforcement officers can issue a fixed penalty notice instead of criminal prosecution. The fixed penalty amount is £200 for a first offence. This is discounted to £150 if paid within 14 days.
The fixed penalty amounts and discounts are different for people who have had enforcement action taken against them in the previous three years. A person may be reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for prosecution if they do not accept the offer of a fixed penalty notice and the enforcement officer does not consider it appropriate to issue a fixed penalty notice.
If you’re found guilty of stocking or supplying a single-use vape (or offering to):
- on summary conviction you’ll be subject to a fine of up to level 5 (currently £5,000) on the standard scale
- on conviction on indictment, you’ll be subject to up to 2 years in prison or a fine, or both
If you fail to comply with an enforcement requirement without a reasonable excuse, you’ll be subject on summary conviction to a fine of up to level 5 (currently £5,000) on the standard scale. You’ll be subject on summary conviction to a fine of up to level 3 (currently £1,000) on the standard scale if you:
- fail to provide your identification details to an enforcement officer
- give false or inaccurate identification details to an enforcement officer
Northern Ireland:
The enforcement mechanism is different in Northern Ireland from other parts of the UK. There are no civil sanctions for this offence and the following penalties apply. If you’re found guilty of stocking or supplying single-use vapes (or offering to), you may receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a magistrates’ court.
On further conviction of this offence in a Crown Court, you may face a prison sentence of up to 2 years, a fine, or both. If you fail to provide information that an enforcement body asks for, you may receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a magistrates’ court.
