Retailers Urged to Prepare for Disposable Vape Ban
Ealing Council warns non-compliance could lead to court action
Vapes behind a counter at a newsagents
April 24, 2025
Ealing Council has issued a stern warning to local retailers about the looming disposable vape ban.
It is pointing out that shops could face court action after Sunday 1 June, if they sell disposable, single-use vapes or have them in their possession. The council says businesses found with these items could face an unlimited fine, up to two years in prison, or both. To avoid inadvertent breaches of the new law, Ealing Council’s trading standards team is working to help businesses prepare.
Trading standards officers will be discussing the ban with retailers, especially those who have shops close to schools, as part of an upcoming programme of advisory visits. Officers will also be reminding them of the laws on underage sales and non-compliant tobacco products.
The law applies to high street businesses, online stores, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and importers.
Retailers who breach the regulations may face their stock being seized by the trading standards team and an investigation which may result in civil sanctions – from fines and enforcement notices to prosecutions. They can continue selling or supplying reusable vapes, which must be both refillable and rechargeable.
If a retailer has any remaining stock, they should separate it from other goods, label them as not for sale, and remove it from the shopfloor or online store until it has been collected using a registered vape recycling service.
Vapes are not always recycled properly and often end up in landfill or pollute natural environments. The UK sees 5 million disposable vapes being thrown away every week.
The change in the law is aimed at protecting critical natural resources, such as lithium, which are used to make these products, and is often binned after use. This can cause harm to the environment if not discarded properly.
While vaping is believed to be a useful tool to help stop smoking and is less harmful than cigarettes, there is also a concern that it provides a gateway into vaping for children and young people. Children experimenting with vaping has grown by nearly 50% since 2022, and the use of disposable vapes is most favoured by children. A study by ASH has shown that over 40% of 11 to 18 year olds who had tried vaping had never smoked before.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes said, “Disposable vapes are often discarded as litter or thrown into the bin instead of being properly recycled. This introduces harmful substances to our environment. Discarded disposable vapes can also pose a fire risk.
“The number of children that vape is rising, with disposable vapes usually their product of choice. The upcoming ban will not only help protect the environment but also reduce the appeal of vapes to children. I encourage retailers to act now and make sure their businesses comply with the law in advance of the ban coming into effect.”
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