In a move that has sent shockwaves through the vaping industry and sparked intense debate across the nation, the UK Government announced last week a ban the sale of all single-use (or disposable) vapes. Set to take effect from the 1st of June 2025, this decision marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to vaping and public health.

Hot on the heels of this announcement came another bombshell in the recent government budget: a new Pigouvian tax* on vaping products. Starting from the 1st of October 2026, vapers will face an additional £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid, on top of the pre-existing 20% VAT. For perspective, that’s an extra 44p for a typical 2ml disposable vape

These decisions, aimed at addressing the alarming rise in vaping amongst young people, alongside growing health and environmental concerns, have prompted intense debate across the nation. And, as the dust settles on these announcements, one question echoes across pubs, parliaments and playgrounds alike: is this the beginning of the end for the UK’s vaping craze, or simply the start of a new chapter?

*Pigouvian tax = a tax that discourages consumption of a product that may potentially have negative effects on the consumer.

Firstly, What Are Vapes?

Vaping refers to the use of an electronic device that heats liquid nicotine (the chemical in cigarettes that gives you a “buzz”), flavourings and other chemicals until they become an aerosol (a fine mist/vapour) which you inhale.

Users inhale this vapour, getting their nicotine fix without being exposed to tar or carbon monoxide, two of the most toxic elements in traditional cigarettes.

Disposable vapes, have gained popularity due to their convenience. Unlike their refillable cousins, they cannot be reused once the liquid runs dry or the battery runs outs, hence are discarded. They are recyclable, but cannot be recycled in the same was as other household products; they need to be taken to a suitable recycle point.

• Many supermarkets will recycle vapes for you.
• OR, find your the nearest suitable recycling centre using the following: https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/how-to-recycle-electronics/what-electronics-can-be-recycled/recycle-vapes/#:~:text=Like%20anything%20with%20a%20battery,out%20the%20options%20for%20repair.

Youth Vaping Has Been Described as an “Epidemic”

The number of people who vape in England has skyrocketed by over 400% from 2012 to 2023. But it’s the youth statistics which are really ringing public health alarm bells:

• A staggering 25% of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vapes.
• Nearly 1 in 10 (9%) of 11 to 15-year-olds use them regularly.
• The most likely age group to vape overall are 16 to 24 year olds.

Dr Mike McKean, vice-president of policy for the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health, said the following about vaping:

“If its rapid growth maintains the same trajectory, almost all children will vape within five years”

“There are many children, young people who have taken up vaping who never intended to smoke and are now likely addicted to vaping. And I think it’s absolutely shocking that we’ve allowed that to happen.”

The surge in vaping rates has largely been attributed to the accessibility and appeal of flavoured disposable products. These are often marketed towards younger audiences, with sweet flavours (“fruit” being the most popular) and brightly coloured advertisements typically garnering the attention of a younger crowd.

A study from King’s College London showed that removing the branding from vapes could have a big impact on their desirability to young people: teenagers were less likely to be interested in trying vapes that were marketed in standardised white or green packaging, whereas adults said their interest was not reduced.

Safer Alternative, or a Silent Killer?

Despite vaping being deemed as a safer alternative to smoking, we actually know very little about the long-term effects of vaping with it being a relatively new trend. New research, however, is causing health concerns to escalate.

One investigation by the BBC found unsafe levels of the metals lead, nickel and chromium in vapes confiscated from one secondary school. High levels of lead exposure in young people can damage the brain and nervous system, affecting brain development, and at worst causing seizures, coma and even death.

Another study by Manchester Metropolitan University showed that lung function and exercise capacity in young people that vape is reduced as much as that of a smoker, challenging the idea that it is a healthier alternative.

Furthermore, another study published in Scientific Reports has suggested that the act of heating the chemicals in the liquid that give vapes their flavour, can result in the formation of many hazardous chemicals, 127 of which are classed as “acutely toxic”.

Environmental Impact: The Cost of Convenience

Five million disposable vapes are discarded weekly in the UK – the equivalent of 8 per second – four times the amount from just a year ago. Disposable vapes contain lithium batteries; over a year, the number of vapes discarded contains the same amount of lithium as 5,000 electric vehicles.

But the problem doesn’t just lie with the amount of waste produced; these lithium batteries in the devices pose a significant fire risk in waste management facilities, if not disposed of correctly.

Many consumers are also unaware that vapes can and should be recycled, not discarded in general waste. If vapes are littered or discarded in general waste they will end up in landfills – toxic chemicals within them can then be released into the local environment and waterways, potentially disrupting local ecosystems.

Why Move To Ban Disposable Vapes Only?

The push to ban single-use vapes follows research showing that disposable varieties are the most popular choice amongst young people. And, given that vaping is most prevalent in this demographic, alongside concerns regarding the unknown effects on long-term health (particularly in young people too), it seems a logical next step to safeguard public health.

Another contributing factor is that the ban on disposable vapes can be put into place relatively quickly using existing environmental legislation, whereas restrictions on other types, flavours, pricing and advertising would take longer (as this would require new laws to be passed by Parliament (Primary Legislation)).

What Are The Potential Downsides?

The Economic Ripple Effect

The ban on disposable vapes and proposed tax is set to reshape the UK’s vaping industry, valued at over £1 billion annually. Critics are concerned this could have a huge economic impact, as well as potentially contributing to the loss of up to 18,000 jobs.

Surge in Illicit Sales

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) warns that the sale of illicit vapes will go up by £645 million if disposable vapes are banned next year, as 1 in 4 people will continue to use them, thus sourcing them illegally instead.

As illicit vapes are non-compliant with UK regulations, they often contain much higher levels of nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals; illegal vapes could therefore, arguably, pose more risks to health than nicotine vapes alone.

The Public Health Balancing Act

While the ban aims to protect young people and the environment, it raises questions about the impact on adult smokers who use vapes as a smoking cessation tool.

A clinical trial led by Queen Mary University of London has shown that smokers who switched to vaping were twice as likely to remain smoke-free compared to those using other nicotine replacement therapies. Banning and taxing vaping products may therefore act to undermine an effective tool for adults trying to quit tobacco.

Prof Jamie Brown, Director of University College London’s Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, says:

“Addressing the availability of cheap and illicit disposable vapes is a vital first step, but this must be backed up by a comprehensive regulatory approach which reduces not just affordability but also access, appeal and advertising of vapes to children.  This approach should be balanced by also promoting vaping to adults as the most effective quitting aid available in the UK.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

There is an argument that the environmental risks that disposable vapes pose is overstated, given that they are actually recyclable. The onus, therefore, should be on education regarding the correct disposal of these vapes, as well as encouraging the use of reusable ones long-term, instead of overtly taking away the freedom of adults to choose.

The Vaping-Smoking Paradox

Whilst the number of secondary school children vaping has increased over the past 10 years, research has shown that the percentage that smoke have decreased. In 2023, only 1% of children aged 11 to 15-years-old smoke tobacco cigarettes regularly, compared to 4% in 2012.

By banning and taxing disposable vapes, the Government may inadvertently be creating a ‘gateway’ from vaping into smoking. Evidence for this is currently limited, though.

In Summary

The UK’s decision to ban disposable vapes and introduce a new tax on vaping products represents a watershed moment in public health and environmental policy. While aimed at protecting young people and the environment, these measures have sparked debates about their potential economic impact and effectiveness in curbing the vaping trend.

As we approach the implementation dates, it’s clear that this is a complex issue with no easy solutions. Balancing public health concerns, environmental protection, economic interests, and individual freedoms will require ongoing dialogue and potentially further policy adjustments.

What is certain is that the landscape of vaping in the UK is set to change dramatically. Whether this change will lead to a healthier, more environmentally conscious future or create new challenges remains to be seen. As the country navigates this new terrain, one thing is clear: the vaping debate is far from over.