Single-use vapes ban: informationwhat for businesses need to do

ItFrom is1 June 2025, it will be illegal for businesses to sell or supply, offer to sell or supply, or have in their possession for sale or supply all single-use or ‘disposable’ vapes. ItThis applies to: 

• sales online and in shops 
• all vapes whether or not they contain nicotine 

If a vape is alsoreusable, illegalyou’ll tostill offerbe toable sell or supply it.

Why the UK is banning the sale and supply of single-use vapes,vapes 

Single-use vapes (also known as disposable vapes) are an inefficient use of critical resources and are often discarded as litter or thrown into residual (non-recycled) waste. Littering spoils our communities, introduces harmful substances into the soil, rivers and streams, and causes harm to stockbiodiversity. When single-use vapes thatare youthrown planinto toblack sellbins they often end up in landfill or supply.are Single-useincinerated, vapeswhich means critical resources are lost. They can also knowncause asfires, disposablewhich vapes.risks the safety of waste management workers, firefighters and the public.

TheTo banstop camethis, intoEngland, forceScotland, onWales and Northern Ireland are banning the sale and supply of single-use vapes from 1 June 20252025.

Who andthis appliesguidance to: is for 

This guidance is for businesses in the UK vaping industry, including: 

• salesimporters 
• retail onlineoutlets 
• vaping andproduct in shops manufacturers 
• allwholesalers

This vapesincludes whetherany shop or notbusiness theythat containsells nicotine single-use vapes, such as a: 

• convenience store 
• market stall 
• petrol station 
• specialist vape shop 
• supermarket 

YouThis mustguidance arrangeis toalso recyclefor any leftoverbusiness stockor oforganisation that supplies single-use vapes.vapes Youin canany stillother sellsettings and– supplyfor vapesexample, thatwithin area reusable.healthcare setting or stop smoking service.

ReadThe aboutrestrictions whyof the UKban hasare bannedconsistent single-useacross vapes.

Whoall 4 nations. However, what happens if you break the ban appliesis specific to

The banthe appliesnation toyour allbusiness businessesis andlocated organisationsin.

Check thatthe sell‘if you get caught selling or supplysupplying a single-use vapesvape infrom the1 UK.June This2025’ includes: section below.

• retailers

  Definition –of sucha assingle-use conveniencevape 

  A stores,single-use marketor stalls,disposable petrolvape stations,is specialista product that’s neither designed nor intended to be re-used.

  For a vape shopsto andbe supermarketsconsidered reuseable, it must be both: 

  • rechargeable 
  • manufacturers refillable

  A vape is not considered reuseable, if it is: 

  • wholesalersrechargeable but not refillable 
  • importersrefillable but not rechargeable 

  A vape is not considered rechargeable if it has a: 

  • healthcarebattery settingsyou andcannot stoprecharge
  • coil smokingyou servicescannot buy separately and easily replace 

  Definition

  The coil is the part of single-usethe andvape that’s powered by the battery to produce heat, vaporising the e-liquid. With a reusable vapes

  Single-usevape, vapesyou aremay notbe designedable to directly remove and replace the coil, or intendedremove forand reuse.replace the pod or cartridge in which the coil is encased.

  A vape is single-usenot ifconsidered itrefillable either:if: 

  • it has a batterysingle-use container, such as a pre-filled pod, that you cannot rechargebuy separately and replace 
  • isyou notcannot refillablerefill the container

  ToThe becontainer reuseable,may abe vapein mustthe haveform a: of: 

  • rechargeable batterya capsule 
  • refillablea containercartridge 
  • a thatpod 
  • a holdstank 
  • anything designed to hold the vaping e-liquidliquid (suchand asbe used within the vape

  Definition of a chamber,reuseable capsule,vape 

  To cartridge,be podreusable, ora tank)

vape must: 
• removablehave anda replaceablebattery coilyou (ifcan therecharge
• be vaperefillable containswith avape coil)liquid

Refill

If requirementsthe forvape reusablehas vapes

a coil, it must be one that can be replaced by an average user – this includes any part of the product that heats or generates a vapour when interacting with the product’s ingredients.

ReusableThe vapesvape canmay be refillablerefilled by either:either: 

• filling up the tank or cartridge with e-liquide-liquid 
• inserting new,new pre-filled podspods 

Refills (pods or e-liquidvape liquid refill bottles) should be separately available for users to buy.buy. 

Coil requirements for reusable vapes

SomeIf reusable vapes have a coil (which produces heat and vaporises the e-liquid).vape Ifhas there is a coil, it mustmay be removablereplaced and replaceable by the vape user.

Reusable vapes can have coils that are either:

• directlyremoving removable and replaceablereplacing it 
• containedremoving inand replacing a removablepod andor replaceabletank podthat orcontains cartridge it 

The coil (whether part of a replacement pod or tank, or not) should be separately available to buy.

If

By you’relaw, notyou suremust aassist vapethe isenforcing reusable

Itauthority isand yourprovide responsibilityany information or evidence they ask for during an inspection. You’ll need to checkbe theable productsto youdemonstrate sellthat oran supplyaverage areuser legalcan andseparately meetbuy theindividual definitionrefill ofitems a(including reusablepods vape.

Checkor thee-liquid definitionsrefill ofbottles) single-usefor andthe reusablevaping vapesitems first.you Ifstock. you’reAn stilleasy notway sureof adoing vapethis is reusable,by youproviding canthese contactitems in your localshop Tradingor Standards foronline advice.store.

ProvidingIf evidenceyou duringget inspections

Youcaught mustselling assistor thesupplying enforcinga authoritysingle-use andvape providefrom any1 informationJune or2025 

Regardless evidenceof theywhere askyour forbusiness duringis anlocated inspection.

Youwithin mustthe UK, it will be ablean to:

• provideoffence evidenceto thatsell theor productsupply, isoffer legalto andsell reusable,or andsupply, ofor thehave stepsin youyour tookpossession to check
• demonstratesell thator supply a single-use vape usersfrom can1 separatelyJune buy2025. individualThis refillincludes itemsboth foronline theand vapingin-store itemssales.

  Different yougovernment stockagencies (includingcarry podsout orregulatory e-liquidfunctions refilland bottles)enforcement –on suchillegal asvapes, byincluding: 

  • Border providingForce 
  • Medicines theseand itemsHealthcare inproducts yourRegulatory shopAgency or(MHRA)
  • Office onlineof storeProduct Safety and Standards (OPSS) 
  • Trading Standards 

  YouThese haveagencies communicate with one another and will report you if you break the rules.

  As a business, it’s your legal right to ask enforcement and regulatory officers for formal photographic identification (ID). This will usually includesinclude their name and the local authority and department they work for.

  Regulation andIf enforcement:an ifofficer you’reis caughtcarrying sellingout single-useenforcement vapes

  measures on your premises, do not hesitate to ask for this information.

  How the ban iswill be enforced varieswill vary between the UK’s 4 nationsnations. andIt’ll isbe specific to where your business operates.

  In England 

  EachLocal localauthority authority’s Trading Standards leadswill lead on enforcing the ban within their area. ContactIf youryou local Trading Standards service if you:

  • suspect that someone is supplying single-use vapes
  • vapes, or if you have questions about following the ban’s rules of the ban or how itit’ll isbe enforced
  enforced, contact your local Trading Standards service.

  In the first instance, Tradingenforcement Standardsauthorities will apply civil sanctions (non-criminal penalties).penalties) Forsuch example,as a: 

  • stop notice 
  • compliance notice 
  • fine of £200 

  Trading Standards canwill be able to seize any single-use vapes they find.

  If you continue to stock,supply, selloffer orto supply single-useor vapeshave (orin offeryour to),possession to supply single-use vapes, you may be charged with:

  • with an unlimited fine
  • fine, a prison sentence of up to 2 years

  years, or both. You may also receive an additional cost recovery notice.notice, Thiswhere means you must pay the costs incurred by Trading Standards while investigating your offence,offence. includingThis includes investigative, administrative and legal costs.

  In Wales

  Local authorities in Wales will lead on enforcing the ban. ContactIf youryou local authority or Trading Standards service if you:

  • suspect that someone is supplying single-use vapes
  • vapes, or if you have questions about following the ban’s rules of the ban or how itit’ll isbe enforced
  enforced, contact your local authority or Trading Standards service.

  Enforcement authorities may apply civil sanctions,sanctions such as:

  • a fixed fine of £200 or a variable fine of more than £200
  • an enforcement cost recovery notice 
  • a non-compliance penalty
  • a stop notice

  Alternatively, you could be tried in a magistrates’Magistrates’ court or Crown Court.

  YouIf mayyou’re befound givenguilty anin unlimiteda fineMagistrates’ andCourt prison sentence of upsupplying, offering to 6supply monthsor if:

  • you’rehaving found guilty in ayour magistrates’possession courtto ofsupply stocking,single-use sellingvapes, or supplying single-use vapes
  • you fail to follow a stop notice

  Younotice, you may beface givenan unlimited fine, a prison sentence of upno tomore 2than years6 andmonths, anor unlimitedboth. fineIf if you’re found guilty inon aconviction Crown Court of one of these offences.

  Youoffences in a Crown Court, you may needface up to pay2 years in prison, an unlimited finefine, ifor both.

  If you’re found guilty in a magistrates’Magistrates’ courtCourt of:

  • of obstructing an enforcement officer
  • or failing to follow antheir enforcementrequests, officer’syou requests
  could face an unlimited fine.

  In Scotland 

  LocalIn authoritiesScotland, inlocal Scotlandauthorities will lead on enforcing the ban. TheyThey’ll report criminal cases to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, who are responsible for prosecuting offences under the regulations. ContactIf youryou local authority or Trading Standards service if you:

  • suspect that someone is supplying single-use vapes
  • vapes, or if you have questions about following the ban’s rules of the ban or how itit’ll isbe enforced
  enforced, contact your local authority or Trading Standards service.

  EnforcementIn the first instance, enforcement officers canwill have the option to issue a fixed penalty notice insteadas ofan alternative to criminal prosecution. TheIn fixedthe penaltycase amountof isa £200first foroffence, athe firstfixed offence.penalty Thisamount is discounted£200, towhich £150 if paid within 14 days. days would be discounted to £150. 

  TheWhere an enforcement officer issues a fixed penalty amountsnotice andto discountsa areperson differentwho forhas peoplebeen whosubject haveto hadprevious enforcement action takenwithin against them in the previous 3 years.years, Thesethe amountsfixed are set out in Table 1.

  Table 1: Fixed penalty amounts and discountsdiscounted foramounts differentare numbersset ofout previousin enforcementthe actions

  table below. 

  Number of previous enforcement actions Previous Enforcement Actions	Amount of Fixed fixed penalty (£)Penalty £	Discounted amount (£) Amount £
  One	400	350
  Two	600	550
  Three	800	750

  AIf personan mayindividual bedoes reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for prosecution if:

  • they do not accept the offer of a fixed penalty notice
  • thenotice, or in circumstances where an enforcement officer does not consider it appropriate to issue a fixed penalty notice
  notice, they may be reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for prosecution. 

  Maximum

  The maximum penalties for offences in Scotland

  are as follows.

  If you’re found guilty of stockingsupplying, offering to supply or supplyinghaving in your possession for supply a single-use vapevape, (oryou’ll offeringbe to):subject on:

  • on summary conviction you’ll be subject to a fine of up to level 5 (currently(currently, £5,000) on the standard scale 
  • on conviction on indictment, you’ll be subject to up to 2 years in prison or a fine, or both

  If you fail to comply with an enforcement requirement without a reasonable excuse, you’ll be subject on summary conviction to a fine of up to level 5 (currently(currently, £5,000) on the standard scale.

  You’llIf beyou subjectfail onto summaryprovide convictionyour toidentification adetails fineor ofgive upfalse or inaccurate identification details to levelan 3enforcement (currentlyofficer £1,000)who onwishes theto standardgive scaleyou ifa you:

  • failfixed topenalty providenotice, youryou’ll identificationbe detailssubject on summary conviction to ana enforcementfine officer
  • giveof falseup orto inaccuratelevel identification3 details(currently, to£1,000) anon enforcementthe officer
  standard scale.

  In Northern Ireland 

  TheIn enforcementNorthern mechanismIreland, isthe differentenforcement inmechanism Northernwill Irelandbe different from other parts of the UK. There are no civil sanctions for this offence and the following penalties will apply. 

  If you’re found guilty of stockingsupplying, offering to supply or supplyinghaving single-usein vapesyour (orpossession offeringto to),supply single-use vapes, you may receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a magistrates’Magistrates’ court.Court. On further conviction of this offence in a Crown Court, you may face a prison sentence of up to 2 years, a fine, or both. 

  If you fail to provide information that an enforcement body asks for, you may receive a fine on summary conviction of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a magistrates’Magistrates’ court. Court. 

  RecyclingHow vapes to tell if you can sell or supply a vape

  VapesAn areexample electricalof items,a whetherreusable theyvape areis single-usea device that has a: 

  • chamber, pod or reuseable.tank Thisyou meanscan theyrefill areusing coverede-liquid byyou’ve bought separately 
  • rechargeable battery
  • removeable and replaceable coil 

  You refill the Wasteliquid Electricalusing a refilling port, which is attached to the chamber or tank. The coil is situated within the tank and Electronicyou Equipmentremove (WEEE)it Regulations.separately by pulling or unscrewing it from the tank. You recharge the battery with a recharging port, which is typically USB or USB-C. 

  IfAnother youexample sellof vapesa (arereusable vape is a ‘distributor’),pod-based youdevice mustthat offerincludes aeither ‘takea:

  • pre-filled back’pod service.you Thisreplace meanswhen the e-liquid runs out 
  • refillable pod you mustrefill acceptusing vapesseparately bought e-liquid and vapereplace partswhen (suchnecessary 

  In aspre-filled usedpods, the pod usually contains the coil or heating element, which you replace alongside the entire pod. In refillable pods, coilsyou replace the coil separately by pulling or batteries)unscrewing thatit customersfrom returnthe fortank. recycling. In both types, the battery must also be rechargeable using a recharging port, which is typically USB or USB-C. 

  ThisTo includesbe anyconsidered single-usereuseable, vapesreplacement returnedcomponents by(including customersthe afterpre-filled thepods, bane-liquid beganrefill onbottles 1and Junecoils) 2025. must be separately available to buy either in-store or online.

  Devices you must not sell or supply

  The Officefollowing forare Productsome Safetyexamples of common models that are not considered reusable. 

  Single stick devices that have the mouthpiece, tank and Standardsbattery mayfixed taketogether. actionThe againstliquid youand ifthe youcoil doare not haveaccessible. Even if the device contains a wayUSB toport, safelysuggesting recyclethat vapesthe andbattery vapecan parts.be recharged, it will still be illegal to sell or supply it. 

  UnsafeDevices storagethat ofallow vapesyou orto improperrefill disposalthe tank and charge the battery, but where the coil is aencased firein risk.the Vapesdevice shouldand cannot be disposedreplaced. This kind of indevice vapeis binsnot onlyreusable andbecause regularlyonce collectedthe coil has burnt out, it’s not possible to replace it with a new one. 

  Devices that appear to be reusable but where it’s not possible for recycling. a user to separately buy the refill e-liquid, pre-filled pods or replacement coil (in your shop or anywhere). 

  WhatHow to docheck withif leftovera stockvape ofis single-use vapesreusable

  You cannotcan sellcheck orwhether supplya anynicotine-containing single-usevaping vapesproduct tois customers.reusable Youon the MHRA website, but you must arrangefirst forconsider anythe leftover‘definition stockof a reusable vape’ above to bemake recycled.sure the product is refillable and rechargeable.

  IfBefore youa havenicotine-containing vape binis services,placed youon shouldthe recyclemarket, vapesit throughmust be notified to and approved by the companyMHRA, theywho provide.confirm Youthis mayby needpublishing tothe payproduct on the MHRA notified products list. If a fee.product is not listed, it’s not legal to sell or supply it in the UK.

  YouFrom put1 yourJune business2025, atthe riskMHRA ofwill commercialremove lossall andsingle-use legalvaping enforcementproducts action(containing ifnicotine) from the list. To prepare, you should stop buying any single-use vapes now and prioritise reducing any current stock.

  Vapes that do not responsiblycontain recyclenicotine do not have to be registered on the MHRA website, so it’s important that you check that the product is not single-use vapeby stocks.other means. Contact your local Trading Standards for advice if you’re unsure.

  If a vape is on the notified products list but you havethink anyit leftoverdoes not meet the definition of a reusable vape, it could be a single-use vapes,vape and illegal for you needto to: sell or supply it. Contact your local Trading Standards if you’re unsure about a specific product. 

  • separate

    It’s themthe fromlegal otherresponsibility goods 

  • labelof themevery asindividual unsellable
  • removewithin themthe fromsupply yourchain shopto floorprovide evidence that a product is legal. If you’re a supplier or onlineretailer, storeyou untilmust theybe areable collectedto byshow you took steps to check your product is legal and meets the definition of a registeredreusable vapevape. 

    You recyclingmust service 

  also provide any information requested by an individual or service enforcing the ban unless the information is legally privileged (protected by law from being revealed). 

  Other restrictions on vaping products 

  Aside from the restrictions on vaping devices outlined in this guidance, reusable vapes will still be subject to wider regulatory restrictions. Vapes on the market must also follow other relevant regulations, such as: 

  • the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals Regulations (2015) 
  • the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR) 
  • waste regulations that apply to electrical equipment and batteries – this includes the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008 and related legislation 

  Read guidance on these additional restrictions for: 

  • vaping products
  • packaging of electronic cigarettes and refill containers 

  Recycling vapes 

  SeveralVapes governmentare agencieselectrical workitems, togetherwhether tothey regulateare single-use or reuseable, which means they are covered by the Waste Electrical and enforceElectronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. If you sell vapes (described as being a ‘distributor’ in the regulationsregulations), you must offer a ‘take back’ service where you accept vapes and vape parts (such as used pods, coils or batteries) that customers return for recycling. 

  This includes any single-use vapes returned by customers after the sale and supply ban has come into force on vapes.1 TheyJune include: 2025. 

  The Office for Product Safety and Standards may take action against you if you do not have a way to safely recycle vapes and vape parts.

  Unsafe storage of vapes or improper disposal is a fire risk. Vapes should be disposed of in vape bins only and regularly collected for recycling. 

  Access a guidance video on your responsibilities as a vape retailer (available in 120 languages).

  What to do if you have stock of single-use vapes

  If you still have single-use vapes in your possession from 1 June 2025, you will not be able to sell or supply them to customers.

  You’ll need to arrange for these vapes to be recycled. If you have vape bin services, you should do this through the company they provide – you may need to pay a fee. If you do not responsibly recycle single-use vape stocks by 1 June 2025, you’ll put your business at risk of commercial loss and legal enforcement action.

  To prepare for the ban, you should: 

  • Borderstop Force buying new stock of single-use vapes
  • Medicinessell andthrough Healthcareall productsexisting Regulatorystock
  • buy Agencyvapes (MHRA)that follow the new regulations 

  From 1 June 2025, if you possess any leftover single-use vaping products, you’ll need to: 

  • Officeseparate ofthem Productfrom Safetyother andgoods 
  • label Standardsthem (OPSS) as unsellable
  • Tradingremove Standards them from your shopfloor or online store until they’ve been collected by a registered vape recycling service 

  Online resources 

  Environment Agency guidance on how to dispose of business waste.

  MHRA guidance on e-cigarette regulations.

  MHRA notified products list search.

  OPSS video on your responsibilities as a vape retailer.

  OPSS WEEE poster to advertise that you recycle vapes, and record keeping template for operating a recycling scheme.