Important Note: It is illegal to sell vaping devices containing nicotine to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy them for under-18s.
As the disposable vape ban arrives in the UK, we take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about vaping on social media.
Is the government banning disposable vapes?
Yes, from 1 June the sale of single-use disposable vapes will be banned in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. From that date it will be illegal for businesses to sell or supply all single-use or disposable vapes.
Does the ban apply to shops or online?
The ban applies to all sales of disposable vapes – both online and in shops.
Does the ban apply to disposable vapes that don’t contain nicotine?
Yes, the ban applies to all disposable vapes – whether or not they contain nicotine.
Why is the government banning disposable vapes?
Ministers in England have said that the ban is intended to protect children’s health and to prevent environmental damage as disposable vapes are often discarded as litter. Vape usage in England has grown by more than 400% between 2012 and 2023 and this is mostly driven by young adults.
Even though it is illegal to sell a vape to anyone under 18, the previous government said they believed that disposable vapes – often sold in smaller and more colourful packaging – were a “key driver behind the alarming rise in youth vaping”.
Is vaping popular among young people?
A 2024 NHS survey found that a quarter of 11-15-year-olds have tried vaping and that 9% do it frequently.
GP Dr Helen Wall told BBC Breakfast in April 2025 : "Our young people are becoming quite addicted [to vaping]. It's affecting their concentration, they're becoming agitated, their capacity to learn is affected, their developing brain can be affected."
Is vaping bad for your health?
The NHS has listed the possible side effects of vaping as mouth and throat irritation, headaches, and shortness of breath.
Cancer Research UK has said that we're still in the dark about the long-term consequences of vaping, while Professor John Britton, Director of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies, has said that in 40 or 50 years we might start seeing people getting lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and bad lung problems as a result of vaping for a long time.
Use trusted sources for information
If you’re worried about vaping and would like to find out more information, you should use reputable websites, refer to trusted organisations such as the NHS and experts in the field for further details.
This article was published in May 2025
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