Northern Ireland, Wales and Jersey have confirmed they will enforce a ban on disposable vapes from June 1, 2025 in line with the rest of the UK.
Northern Ireland
Andrew Muir, Northern Ireland’s environment minister, had previously said he would outlaw the sale and supply of single-use vapes from April 2025. But yesterday, he announced the ban will be pushed back by two months to June.
The new date ties in with similar laws being introduced separately in England, Scotland and Wales. Muir said aligning the dates would give clarity for businesses currently selling single-use vapes.
"The environmental damage created by the rise in the littering and incorrect disposal of used vapes, as well as their poor recyclability, is a key concern for me," he said.
"Single use vape waste can have a devastating impact on our environment and biodiversity and I welcome this ban which will have better benefits for our environment and consequently for our general health and well-being."
He said the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland (Daera) will work with retailers of vapes to ensure they understand the ban and their new responsibilities. They must sell off any remaining stock before June 1.
Wales
Meanwhile, the Senedd in Wales yesterday unanimously backed a ban on disposable vapes to take effect from the same date - June 1, 2025.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales’ climate change secretary, said more than five million disposable vapes were being littered or thrown away every week in the UK in 2023.
“That is almost four times as much as the previous year,” he told the Senedd. “These littered single-use vapes can introduce damaging plastics, nicotine salts, heavy metals and other chemicals into the environment, damaging wildlife.”
Irranca-Davies, who is also deputy first minister of Wales, said the lithium-ion batteries “can be a fire risk” and disposable vapes often end up in landfill if not littered on the street.
He also warned that disposable vapes are fuelling a “deeply worrying” rise in youth vaping.
Irranca-Davies pointed out that the ban includes disposable vapes given away for free and those not containing nicotine. Reusable vapes can continue to be sold.
He said: “Anyone found supplying single-use vapes after June 1 and/or ignores a stop notice could potentially face a substantial fine or even imprisonment.”
The minister said councils will be responsible for enforcing the regulations, which were passed without objection by the Senedd.
Jersey
Jersey confirmed yesterday that it will also ban disposable vapes from June.
The States Assembly on the UK island approved the proposal from the infrastructure minister. The States agreed unanimously, with 45 votes for and no votes against.
The ban will come under an amendment to the Jersey Single Use Plastics Law, which currently covers plastic and paper bags.
Constable Andy Jehan, who brought the plans to the States Assembly, previously said a high proportion of young people used disposable vapes.
He said: "The increasing popularity of single use vapes means there are more vapes being disposed of in various ways, all of which are problematic.
"The use of materials including plastics, metals and a lithium battery in each single use device starkly contrasts with sustainability commitments to reduce waste, maximise resources and re orientate behaviour towards the circular economy."
It follows similar moves from the UK and Guernsey - where it will be a criminal offence to supply or sell disposable vapes from June 1.
UK-wide guidance for businesses is being prepared and is due to be published later this month.
Fears the ban will cause more harm than good
Anti-smoking campaigners and vape advocates warn the ban on disposables, and wider crackdown being proposed in the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, is likely to hamper the UK’s ambition to be smoke free by 2030.
They say it goes against the government’s own data showing that vapes - especially with flavours - are important tools for smokers wanting to quit.
There are also fears that the restrictions will simply fuel the black market in unregulated vapes, which happened in Australia after the government there banned vapes outside of pharmacies.