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IT COMES AMID CONCERNS SOME PEOPLE ARE STOCKING UP ON SINGLE-USE VAPES BEFORE THEY ARE BANNED FOR SALE TOMORROW 05:30, 31 May 2025 People are being alerted to the grave risks of hoarding
disposable vapes as the prohibition takes effect tomorrow. Amid worries that some individuals are amassing single-use vapes before they're outlawed for sale, a warning has been issued.
Online nicotine retailer Haypp's latest study reveals a staggering 82 per cent of disposable vape users intend to stockpile before the ban kicks in. READ MORE: BLUE BADGE CRISIS AS
DRIVERS TOLD 'WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO IGNORE' GET ALL THE LATEST MOTORING NEWS SENT TO YOUR INBOX BY SIGNING UP TO OUR NEW NEWSLETTER HERE Those looking to dispose of their
disposable vapes can take them back to the shop where they were bought. Retailers peddling vapes must provide a "take back" scheme, accepting returned vapes and parts for
recycling, including single-use vapes brought back post-ban. Article continues below High street boutiques and corner shops are also being reminded of potential fines if they flout the new
regulations. The Local Government Association (LGA), representing councils and fire services, cautions that the lithium batteries in disposable vapes pose a fire hazard and threat to life if
not properly stored. Starting Sunday 1 June, it will be against the law for businesses to sell or supply, or even possess for sale, any single-use or disposable vapes. The LGA was at the
forefront of advocating for a ban two years ago due to environmental and health worries. The legislation for the ban was introduced in Parliament last year, following a government
consultation that found strong public backing for curbing their sale and supply. Disposable vapes have become a menace for waste and litter collection, sparking fires in refuse trucks.
Single-use vapes, designed as a single unit, make it nearly impossible to recycle them without specialised treatment due to the inseparable combination of batteries and plastic. The lithium
batteries encased in plastic can become dangerously hot and even catch fire if they're crushed. This issue is hitting council taxpayers in the pocket due to fire damage to machinery and
the need for specialist handling of this hazardous waste. Local authorities are also worried about the allure of throwaway vapes to youngsters and the potential for nicotine addiction. Cllr
David Fothergill, who chairs the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, has spoken out on the matter, saying "With 8.2 million vapes now thrown away, or recycled incorrectly, every
week, single use vapes blight our streets as litter, are a hazard in our bin lorries, and are expensive and difficult to deal with in our recycling centres. Their colours, flavours and
advertising are appealing to children and are a risk to the health of young people." He also issued a reminder to businesses: "We want to remind businesses to ensure all remaining
stocks of disposable vapes are sold, and only buying vapes that follow the new regulations." Moreover, he warned retailers: "If businesses have any single-use vapes in their
possession after Sunday, they will not be able to sell them to shoppers and must ensure they are stored and disposed of safely." Article continues below Cllr Fothergill further
cautioned the public against hoarding disposable vapes: "We would also urge caution to anyone stockpiling disposable vapes. Failing to store disposable vapes correctly could cost lives,
given the significant fire risk they pose."