Charities in Wales respond to disposable vape ban
It's now illegal to sell single-use vapes across the UK
Last updated 2nd Jun 2025
From Sunday, June 1, single use vapes will be banned across the whole of the UK to reduce the environmental harm caused by their production and incorrect disposal.
Keep Wales Tidy estimates that over just one year, 360,000 single use vapes are littered on the ground in Wales, while 120,000 are flushed down the toilet.
Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive, Owen Derbyshire said:
“We warmly welcome Welsh Government’s decision to ban single use vapes – something we’ve been calling for in recent years. Nearly half of all clean-ups undertaken by our volunteers last year found these harmful products.
"They’re a blight on our communities, a danger to wildlife, and near impossible to recycle. It’s great to see this level of ambition from government, alongside a clear commitment to tackling the broader litter problem at source.”
Around 2,000 affected small- and medium-sized retailers across Wales have received hard-copy information from the Welsh Government advising them of the upcoming ban and actions they need to take.
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Cymru, said:
“We wholeheartedly welcome the ban on disposable vapes coming into effect across the UK. Figures show a worrying rise in the numbers of young people vaping, who mostly use single use vapes, sucked in by the vaping industry’s marketing, cheap prices, colourful packaging and appealing flavour options.
“Our recent Opinion Matters polling of 1,000 people in Wales showed that three- quarters (75%) agree on a ban on disposable vapes, with more than 8 out of 10 (84%) concerned about the environmental waste from disposable vapes.
"This shows that this ban will be welcomed by many across the country.
“While vaping can be a useful tool to help people quit smoking, reusable vapes that are less damaging to the environment are by far a better option. And for children and those who don’t smoke, we don’t want to see vaping at all.”
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.”
Businesses which sell single-use vapes must offer a take-back recycling service for customers to bring back their used vapes, pods or batteries, and dispose of any leftover single-use vapes correctly.