Cheshire and Merseyside public health bosses welcome disposable vape ban
The ruling to ban the sale of disposable vapes comes into force from Sunday
Directors of Public and Population Health from across Cheshire and Merseyside say young people will be more protected from the harmful effects of vaping, as a new law comes into action.
From Sunday 1 June 2025, the sale and supply of single-use vapes will be banned in England, following a Government ruling last year.
The changes, which were initially called for by Directors of Public and Population Health in Cheshire and Merseyside back in 2023, have been brought in to combat concerns around their environmental impact and links to an increase in teen vaping.
Around five million vapes are thrown away each week in the UK alone, creating unnecessary plastic waste, with many found to have unidentified ingredients that could have harmful side effects.
The new ruling coincides with poll results from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), which highlight how two-thirds of the public (65%) back the idea of living in a country where no-one smokes.
The YouGov survey was carried out ahead of World No Tobacco Day (31 May) and showed a desire for further tougher regulations to protect children from vaping with 78% supporting the banning of sweet flavours, cartoon characters, and bright packaging. Three in four people also (75%) support a Big Tobacco levy to fund quitting services and youth prevention.
Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health for Knowsley and Lead Director of Public Health for Cheshire and Merseyside’s All Together Smokefree programme, said: “The move to ban disposable vapes could not be more welcomed by us and will inevitably help protect children and young people from the harmful effects of vaping.
“While vaping can be used by adults to help them stop smoking, it is simply unacceptable that brands have been able to create and sell colourful, sweet-tasting vapes that directly appeal to children, the majority of whom have never smoked.
“We know that this latest change in the law will not solve the issue of teen vaping, but it is a significant step in the right direction.”
The new ban also follows a campaign, Smoking Ends Here, developed by the All Together Smoke Free programme in Cheshire and Merseyside to encourage local people to kick their smoking habit.
In addition, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, is now progressing through Parliament. If given the go-ahead, the Bill will mean further restrictions on vaping to protect children and young people.
Professor Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “Our position on youth vaping is clear – young people, even those trying to stop smoking, should not vape.
“We know that vaping is not completely risk-free, and we have a duty of care to protect children from harm.
“This ban on disposables is a vital step in tackling youth vaping but we need the additional measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill restricting child friendly flavours, packaging, advertising and marketing.
“Without this, we risk leaving the door open for other vape products to continue to be targeted at children.”