When are vapes getting banned? Why disposable e-cigarettes face a UK ban and how long it could take

The UK is reportedly set to ban disposable vapes over concerns they are causing children to become addicted.

Councils and paediatricians have been pushing for single-use vapes to be banned on health grounds, while public waste campaigners have also highlighted their negative impact on the environment.

Disposable vapes are sold in bright colours, and come in sweet and fruity flavours like pink lemonade, gummy bear and watermelon, making them attractive to children.

Earlier this month figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a large increase in vaping among teenagers and young adults in Britain.

In 2022 some 15.5 per cent of 16 to 24 year olds vaped daily or occasionally, up from 11.1 per cent in 2021.

Will disposable vapes be banned?

The decision to ban disposable vapes will be revealed in a consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care next week, The Telegraph reports.

Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan did not deny the reports, telling Sky News: “We have been looking into this and have been doing a review because this is a very worrying trend that we’re seeing of young children taking up vaping that had never smoked before, and it is extremely dangerous to their health and their wellbeing.

“It’s something that we do need to act on and, as a Government, what we’re trying to do is recognise what are the key challenges and grip them.”

Asked whether the Government will be banning single-use vapes next week, she said: “We’ll be making further announcements on that.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We are concerned about the rise in youth vaping and the environmental impacts of disposable vapes.

“That is why we launched a call for evidence to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vaping products – and explore where the Government can go further.

“We will set out our response in due course.”

Why are disposable vapes being banned?

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has previously called for a ban on disposable vapes, warning that “youth vaping is fast becoming an epidemic among children”.

The college said that e-cigarettes “are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more so than traditional cigarettes”.

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It called for urgent action to protect youngsters, saying experts agree that longer-term data is needed on the effects of vaping.

NHS figures show a rise in the number of children admitted to hospital due to vaping – 40 children and young people were admitted to hospital in England last year due to “vaping-related disorders”, which could include lung damage or worsening asthma symptoms, up from 11 two years earlier, the health service said.

England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, has previously advised: “If you smoke, vaping is much safer; if you don’t smoke, don’t vape; marketing vapes to children is utterly unacceptable.”

There have also been calls for disposable vapes to be banned to protect the environment.

Recycling campaign group Material Focus said 5 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week.

More than 7 million single-use vapes are bought every week in the UK – double the number bought in 2022, it said, but only 17 per cent of people correctly recycle their vapes in a shop or local recycling centre.

The group warned that vapes are toxic and can be damaging to the environment and wildlife if littered. When not disposed of correctly, they can also cause fires because of the batteries inside them.