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THE ECHO HAS ROUNDED UP THE DETAILS ON THE LOOMING BAN 06:30, 31 May 2025 A 24 hour warning has been issued to people who use disposable vapes ahead of the looming nationwide ban. From
tomorrow, it is illegal for businesses to sell or supply single use vapes. Single use vapes are also known as disposable vapes and the government has confirmed it is also illegal to offer to
sell or supply single-use vapes, or to stock single-use vapes that you plan to sell or supply. The ban targets all non-rechargeable, non-refillable vaping products. However, rechargeable
and refillable vape devices are not affected and will remain legal for sale. Ahead of the new measures, the ECHO has rounded up everything you need to know about the looming ban, including
why it has been introduced and penalties for breaking it. WHY ARE DISPOSABLE VAPES BEING BANNED? Disposable vapes are being banned to crackdown on what the government describes an
"alarming rise" of vape usage in school playgrounds and the "avalanche of rubbish flooding the nation’s streets." 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." 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." PENALTIES FOR BREAKING THE NEW MEASURES On the government
website, it explains the penalties for breaking the new measures are dependant on where you are in the UK. For England, Trading, rogue traders breaking the rules will be hit with a fine of
£200 in the first instance, and all products will be seized. The government says that anyone who shows a 'blatant disregard for the rules' and reoffends will face being slapped
with an unlimited fine or jail time. Article continues below WHAT TYPE VAPES ARE STILL ALLOWED? Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes. Disposable vape, which are being banned,
are non-refillable and unable to be recharged, and are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled.