By Amelia Hunt | LONDON – 2025/05/31 07:53:48

With the ban on disposable vapes set to take effect this Sunday, vapers are being cautioned against stockpiling, as these devices “pose a significant fire risk.” The outright ban aims to reduce youth vaping and mitigate environmental damage.

The Local government Association (LGA) has observed that many users are stocking up on single-use e-cigarettes before shops face fines for selling them after the deadline. While consumers may be tempted to hoard their preferred flavors, the LGA warns that the lithium batteries within these devices could become hazardous if improperly stored.

David Fothergill, the chair of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, stated, “We want to remind businesses to ensure all remaining stocks of disposable vapes are sold, and only buying vapes that follow the new regulations.” He added, “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.”

Fothergill also urged caution, saying, “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.”

According to research by Haypp, an online nicotine retailer, 82% of disposable vape users are planning to stockpile before the ban.

Environmental Concerns and Disposal Issues

The ban is intended to address the environmental harm caused by the millions of disposable vapes discarded weekly. Retailers are instructed to clear their remaining stock and ensure safe disposal of leftover products.

Material Focus, a non-profit focused on improving electrical recycling in the UK, reported that 5 million disposable vapes were incorrectly discarded each week in the UK in 2024.This figure is nearly four times higher than the previous year. Many of these vapes contain lithium-ion batteries, which present fire risks and can leach toxic chemicals into the habitat when improperly disposed of.

Scott Butler, the executive director of Material Focus, saeid: “Thirteen vapes every second are being incorrectly gotten rid of, and that’s a huge environmental pollution problem. The liquid in many vape batteries is toxic and could run into waterways, and also harm animals. It’s also a significant fire risk as lithium batteries are known to cause fires when crushed with general waste.”

“Thirteen vapes every second are being incorrectly gotten rid of, and that’s a huge environmental pollution problem.”

Impact on Youth Vaping

Disposable vapes are the most common devices used by children, with over 20% of UK children having tried vaping, according to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). These devices often feature sweet flavors and brightly colored packaging, which campaigners argue appeal to underage users.

The new regulations will only permit vapes that are rechargeable, refillable, and equipped with replaceable coils.

Experts are concerned that the industry may already be finding ways to circumvent the ban, with cheaper vape imports rerouted from the US possibly driving prices down further. Concerns also exist that new US tariffs on Chinese imports may lead to increased cheap vape shipments to the UK, complicating enforcement efforts.

Hazel Cheeseman, the deputy chief executive of ASH, noted, “There’s already a sizeable illegal market. whether the disposable vapes ban makes that risk greater, I guess that depends on how quickly the legitimate retailers are making products available to people that suit their needs.”

She added, “people don’t necessarily want to go looking for illegal products if they can buy legitimate products in their local corner shop or supermarket that meet their needs, why would they go off looking for dodgy ones?”

Kate Pike, the lead officer for vaping at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, highlighted concerns about policing vapes at borders and ports, emphasizing the need for stronger import controls. “We have extra funding to do more at ports and borders … From our point of view, it’s critically important, as obviously it makes a big difference if we can stop [illegal vapes entering the country],” said PIKE.