Banning single-use vapes is a 'start'- Norfolk vape store owner
The Government says this ban will tackle youth-vaping and associated littering
Last updated 1st Jun 2025
The owner of a vape store in Norfolk says banning disposable devices will help make the sector more environmentally friendly.
It's illegal to sell or supply a single-use vape from today. The Government says this move will tackle youth-vaping and littering.
This crackdown on the devices means any retailer - ranging from corner shops to supermarkets - is banned from selling them.
It also applies to both online and in-store sales across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine.
Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes.
Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending.
"We'd much rather see the sector move to a fully replaceable, re-fillable system"
Barry Caine is the owner of Pixie Juice, based near Norwich:
"We'd much rather see the sector move to a fully replaceable, re-fillable system.
"If we're able to get to this point it stands the UK in a better position for domestic production"
"We are crying out for licensing. Anyone in the industry who's been there for more than four or five years can see the benefits of this.
"The reality is that underage sales in the market are not coming from vape shops. They are coming from retailers that sell the likes of mobile phones or corner shops".
Figures from the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) suggests the number of vapers in Great Britain who mainly use single-use devices fell from 30% in 2024 to 24% in 2025, while the use of disposables by 18 to 24-year-old vapers fell from 52% in 2024 to 40% in 2025.
"This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children"
Ash deputy chief executive Caroline Cerny said:
"It's promising to see that many people switched away from disposable vapes to re-usable products well ahead of the ban.
"This is particularly marked among young people, who were more likely to use disposable products due to their attractiveness, affordability, and heavy marketing.
"This new law is a step towards reducing vaping among children, while ensuring products are available to support people to quit smoking. It will be up to manufacturers and retailers to ensure customers are informed and able to reuse and recycle their products securing a real change in consumer behaviour and a reduction in environmental waste.
"If behaviour does not change then further regulations will be possible following the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill."
More on what the Government's said, here:
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said usage among young vapers remained too high, and the ban would "put an end to their alarming rise in school playgrounds and the avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation's streets".
Circular economy minister Mary Creagh said: "For too long, single-use vapes have blighted our streets as litter and hooked our children on nicotine. That ends today.
"The Government calls time on these nasty devices."