Disposable Vape Ban Comes into Force on Saturday 1st June 2025

A major change affecting shops and businesses across Sefton—and the rest of the UK—will come into effect on Saturday 1st June 2025. From this date, it will be illegal to sell, supply, or possess for sale any single-use or disposable vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not.

This ban will apply nationwide across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and includes both online and in-store sales.

What You Need to Know:

• All single-use/disposable vapes will be banned from being sold or supplied.

• Reusable vapes will still be allowed, but they must be both rechargeable and refillable.

• A vape is not considered reusable if:

  
  

  • It can be recharged but not refilled (or vice versa).

  • It has a single-use pod or cartridge that can’t be replaced or refilled.

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• Any shop or business found breaking the law could face enforcement action.

  
  

Who the Ban Applies To:

• Vape shops

• Supermarkets

• Petrol stations

• Market stalls

• Convenience stores

• Wholesalers, importers and manufacturers

Why the Ban is Being Introduced:

According to government guidance, disposable vapes are:

• A serious waste and fire hazard

• Harmful to wildlife and the environment

• Frequently littered, ending up in landfill or being incinerated

• A risk to waste workers and firefighters due to battery-related fires

The government states this move will help reduce litter, protect public safety, and ensure critical resources like lithium batteries are not wasted.

What Businesses Should Do:

If you are a business that sells vaping products, you must:

• Remove disposable vapes from sale before 1st June

• Ensure all remaining vape products are reusable (both rechargeable and refillable)

• Cooperate with Trading Standards during any inspections

Enforcement in Sefton:

Local Trading Standards teams will be responsible for enforcing the ban. If you suspect a business is continuing to supply banned vapes after the deadline, or if you need further guidance, you should contact Sefton Trading Standards.