---
title: "UK to ban disposable vapes from June to crack down on teen use"
description: "LONDON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England from June next year, the British government said on Thursday, seeking to crack down on the environmental harm and rising usage levels among children."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Vaping"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-10-24-uk-to-ban-disposable-vapes-from-june-to-crack-down-on-teen-use/"
published: "2024-10-24T12:22:28"
updated: "2024-10-24T12:22:30"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 284
---

# UK to ban disposable vapes from June to crack down on teen use

> LONDON, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The sale of single-use vapes will be banned in England from June next year, the British government said on Thursday, seeking to crack down on the environmental harm and rising usage levels among children.

By Reuters · Published 24 October 2024, 14:22 SAST · Updated 24 October 2024, 14:22 SAST

## Key points
- As Britain grapples with the colorful allure of vaping that's ensnared nearly one in ten adults and a fifth of teens, the government is puffing up plans to snuff out disposable vapes, aiming to protect both the planet and the pint-sized puffers—because who knew fruity flavors could be such a slippery slope?
- Vaping usage in Britain has surged, with nearly 10% of the population engaged, raising concerns about youth attraction due to appealing designs and flavours.
- A recent ASH survey reveals one in five children aged 11-17 have tried vaping, despite the legal age limit of 18 for nicotine e-cigarettes.
- The Labour government aims to implement strict anti-smoking regulations, including a ban on disposable vapes, to safeguard young people from nicotine addiction.
- Health charity ASH advocates for balanced regulations in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to preserve vaping's role as a smoking cessation tool.

## Content

Vaping has grown rapidly in Britain in the last decade, with nearly one in 10 people buying and using the products, according to the government.

Supporters say vapes can help people give up smoking, but health authorities are concerned that their colourful designs and fruity flavours are designed to attract children.

According to a [2024 survey](https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Use-of-vapes-among-young-people-in-Great-Britain-2024.pdf?v=1725288402) by health charity ASH, about one in five children aged 11-17 said they had tried vaping.

It is illegal to sell nicotine-containing e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 18.

The [plan to ban](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3EI057&linkedFromStory=true) disposable vapes was initially set out by the previous Conservative government in January, alongside a move to ban anyone aged 15 and under from buying cigarettes - some of the strictest anti-smoking rules in the world.

The Labour government also plans to introduce a full smoking bill, as part of what it called "the biggest public health intervention in a generation" to protect young people from becoming hooked on nicotine.

"Banning disposable vapes will not only protect the environment, but importantly reduce the appeal of vapes to children and keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people," said minister for public health and prevention, Andrew Gwynne.

Almost five million single-use vapes were dumped on the ground or thrown away in general waste every week in 2023, the government said. They then end up in landfill or being incinerated, posing a fire risk due to their lithium-ion batteries.

Health charity ASH has called for a balance in the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill to ensure that regulations do not undermine the value of vapes as an aid for tobacco smokers.

(Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Kate Holton and Sharon Singleton)