The single-use vape ban
It has been illegal for businesses to sell or supply single use vapes, otherwise known as disposable vapes, since 1 June 2025.
The regulations were introduced to reduce the impact that single-use products have on the environment.
View the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024.
What is a single-use vape
A single-use vape is not designed or intended to be re-used.
A vape is single use if it:
- has a battery that you cannot recharge
- is not refillable.
For a vape to be re-usable, it must have a:
- rechargeable battery
- refillable container that holds the vaping liquid (such as a chamber, capsule, cartridge, pod or tank)
- removable and replaceable coil (if the device has one).
Reusable vapes can be refilled by either:
- filling up the tank or cartridge with e-liquid
- inserting new, pre-filled pods which should be separately available for consumers to buy.
If the device has a coil, they must be either:
- removable and replaceable
- contained in a removable and replaceable pod or cartridge
- available separately to buy.
Who the ban applies to
The ban includes the sale and supply of all single-use vapes and applies to:
- manufacturers
- importers
- wholesalers
- sales online
- shops
- market stalls
- healthcare settings and stop smoking services.
Check your existing stock
There is a requirement for compliant vapes to be notified to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Each vape will have a European Community Identification (ECID) number on its packaging for the device. You can use this number to help you search the database.
MHRA guidance on vape regulations.
MHRA notified product list search.
Who is responsible for enforcing the ban
Your local Trading Standards Service is the responsible authority for enforcing the ban and will use a range of enforcements.
What to do if you still have leftover stock of single-use vapes
You cannot sell or supply any single-use vapes.
If you cannot return leftover stock to your supplier, you must arrange for it to be recycled responsibly.
You should:
- separate any single-use vapes from your stock, seal them, and label them as not for sale
- remove them from your shop floor or online store, until they are collected by a registered vape recycling service.
Recycling vapes
Vapes are electrical items. They must be recycled under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards may take action against you if you do not have a way to safely recycle vapes and vape parts.
Unsafe storage of vapes or improper disposal is a fire risk. Vapes should be disposed of in vape bins only and regularly collected for recycling.
Take back service
If you sell vapes, you must offer a take back service. This means you must accept vapes and vape parts for recycling. This includes:
- used pods
- coils
- batteries
- single-use vapes returned by customers after the 1 June 2025.
Further information
To get further business advice, contact the Trading Standards Team on 01634 333 333.