Are Disposable Vapes Being Banned UK 2023?

Disposable vapes are not being banned in the UK in 2023. While some councils in England have called for the UK Government to ban disposable vapes due to concerns over littering, fire hazards and the appeal of disposable vapes to children, the UK Government has not formally announced a ban on disposable vapes.

The UK Government has not formally announced plans to ban disposable vapes. If the UK Government decided to ban disposable vapes in the future, they would need to introduce new legislation. The process of banning disposable vapes would involve drafting a bill, having it reviewed and debated in both Houses of Parliament, and receiving royal assent. This process could take several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the legislation and the level of consensus among lawmakers. No such legislation or draft bills proposing a ban on disposable vapes have been introduced in the UK.

In a statement published by the Local Government Association (LGA) on 14 July 2023, David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA Community Wellbeing Board, said the following.

“Councils are not anti-vapes, which are shown to be less harmful than smoking and have a place as a tool to use in smoking cessation.

“However, disposable vapes are fundamentally flawed in their design and inherently unsustainable products, meaning an outright ban will prove more effective than attempts to recycle more vapes.

“Single use vapes blight our streets as litter, are a hazard in our bin lorries, are expensive and difficult to deal with in our recycling centres. Their colours, flavours and advertising are appealing to children and the penalties for retailers selling them don’t go far enough.

“Councils urge the Government to take this action to protect our planet, keep children safe and save taxpayers money.”

In an interview with Sky News, Fothergill encouraged smokers to switch to vaping when trying to quit smoking but urged smokers to consider refillable vapes rather than disposable vapes. You can see the full video below.

Will Disposable Vapes Be Banned?

No, there are currently no official plans by the UK Government to ban disposable vapes. It is possible for the UK Government to introduce legislation to ban disposable vapes if they deem it necessary. The process of passing legislation banning disposable vapes would involve drafting a bill, having it reviewed and debated in both Houses of Parliament, and receiving royal assent. This process can take several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the legislation and the level of consensus among lawmakers. Until such a decision is made and legislation passed, disposable vapes remain legal for sale and use in the UK.

Why Do They Want to Ban Disposable Vapes?

Some local councils and the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, are advocating for a ban on disposable vapes due to three main concerns: their environmental impact, potential fire hazards, and their appeal to minors.

1. Environmental Impact: Disposable vapes are single-use items that contribute to litter and waste. They are difficult and expensive to recycle, raising concerns about their environmental sustainability.
2. Fire Hazards: Improperly discarded disposable vapes can pose a fire hazard, leading to safety concerns.
3. Appeal to Minors: Some disposable vapes are designed with bright colours and sweet flavours. Some councils believe these disposable vapes appeal to children and teenagers, raising concerns about underage vaping and associated health risks.

Are Elf Bar Vapes Being Banned?

No, there are currently no plans to specifically ban Elf Bar vapes in the UK. However, the Local Government Association (LGA) and some councils in England and Wales have expressed concerns about the environmental impact, potential fire hazards, and appeal to minors of disposable vapes, which includes Elf Bar vapes. These concerns could potentially influence future legislation.

Are Lost Mary Vapes Being Banned?

No, there are currently no plans to specifically ban Lost Mary vapes in the UK. However, the Local Government Association (LGA) and some councils in England and Wales have raised concerns about the environmental impact, potential fire hazards, and appeal to minors of disposable vapes, which includes Lost Mary vapes. These concerns could potentially influence future legislation.

Are Crystal Bar Vapes Being Banned?

No, there are currently no plans to specifically ban Crystal Bar vapes in the UK. However, the Local Government Association (LGA) and some councils in England and Wales have voiced concerns about the environmental impact, potential fire hazards, and appeal to minors of disposable vapes, which includes Crystal Bar vapes. These concerns could potentially influence future legislation.