Retailers risk fines of up to £5,000 and two years in prison for breaking rules
-
Penalties vary across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
-
Retailers could receive a 2-year prison sentence for ignoring the ban regulations
-
Risk of £5,000 fines and ‘stop notices’ prohibiting retailers selling vaping products
New details of the upcoming disposable vape ban have been revealed by the government.
In its first official statement since the ban was announced, Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has confirmed the penalties for selling disposable vapes after the ban and what to do if retailers have remaining stock.
David Phillips, Lead Content Writer at the UK’s leading vape retailer, Vape Superstore, has welcomed this new guidance:
“We believe that the disposable vape ban is a step in the right direction for environmentally conscious vaping and a more sustainable smoke-free future. While the penalties might seem severe, retailers have four months to prepare for the upcoming ban. This new guidance offers retailers and shopkeepers more clarity around the ban. However, the ban could lead to an increase in black market vaping products, which the government should do more to address after June 2025.”
Vape Superstore’s David Phillips has provided an overview of the new guidelines:
If retailers get caught supplying a single-use vape from 1 June 2025
It will be an offence to sell, offer to sell or be in possession to sell a single-use vape in the UK from 1 June 2025. This includes both online and in-store sales.
Different government agencies carry out regulatory functions and enforcement on illegal vapes, including:
-
Border Force
-
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
-
Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS)
-
Trading Standards
How the ban will be enforced will vary between the UK’s four nations
|
ENGLAND |
|
|
Who will enforce the ban? |
Local authority Trading Standards will lead on enforcing the ban within their area. |
|
Penalties |
In the first instance, enforcement authorities will apply civil sanctions (non-criminal penalties) such as a:
Further violations may result in an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to 2 years, or both. They may also receive an additional cost recovery notice, where they must pay the costs incurred by Trading Standards while investigating their offence. |
|
WALES |
|
|
Who will enforce the ban? |
Local authorities in Wales will lead on enforcing the ban. |
|
Penalties |
Enforcement authorities may apply civil sanctions such as:
|
|
SCOTLAND |
|
|
Who will enforce the ban? |
In Scotland, local authorities will lead on enforcing the ban. They’ll report criminal cases to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), who are responsible for prosecuting offences under the regulations. |
|
Penalties |
If a retailer is found guilty of supplying, offering to supply or having in their possession for supply single-use vapes, they’ll be subject on summary conviction to a fine of up to £5,000. On further conviction of these offences, they may face up to 2 years in prison or be subject to a fine, or both. If they fail to follow an enforcement requirement without a reasonable excuse, they’ll be subject to a fine of up to £5,000. |
|
NORTHERN IRELAND |
|
|
Who will enforce the ban? |
In Northern Ireland, the enforcement mechanism will be different from other parts of the UK. There are no civil sanctions for this offence and the following penalties will apply. |
|
Penalties |
If a retailer is found guilty of supplying, offering to supply or having in their possession to supply single-use vapes, they may receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a Magistrates’ Court. On further conviction of this offence in a Crown Court, they may face a prison sentence of up to 2 years, a fine, or both. If they fail to provide information that an enforcement body asks for, they may receive a fine on summary conviction of up to £5,000 in a Magistrates’ Court. |
What should retailers do if they have stock of single-use vapes?
If retailers still have single-use vapes in their possession from 1 June 2025, they will not be able to sell or supply them to customers. If they do not responsibly recycle single-use vape stocks, they’ll put their business at risk of commercial loss and legal enforcement action.
From 1 June 2025, if a retailer possesses leftover single-use vaping products, they’ll need to:
-
separate them from other goods
-
label them as unsellable
-
remove them from the shopfloor or online store until they’ve been collected by a registered vape recycling service
Could vapers be penalised for being in possession of disposable vapes after the ban?
As it stands, vapers will not be penalised for possessing disposable vapes after the ban. The ban targets the sale and distribution of disposable vapes, not personal possession. Enforcement measures are focused on businesses, requiring them to comply with the prohibition and responsibly disposing of existing stock.
Commenting on the guidance, David Phillips from Vape Superstore said:
“Vape Superstore welcomes the government’s decision to ban disposable vapes and introduce stringent penalties for non-compliance. These measures are a significant step towards addressing the environmental impact of single-use products, reducing waste, and promoting a more sustainable approach to vaping. The ban will require adjustments for many vapers, but there are plenty of cost-effective and reusable alternatives available.”
“As advocates of a smoke-free future, we believe these changes will encourage responsible vaping practices, benefiting both the environment and public health. Vape Superstore is committed to supporting our customers with high-quality, reusable alternatives and ensuring we all contribute to a more sustainable future in the industry.”
To learn more about the disposable vape ban visit the Vape Superstore blog.
-ENDS-
About Vape Superstore
Vape Superstore, a leading online vape store, is dedicated to providing both beginners and seasoned vapers with one of the most extensive range of vape supplies in the UK. With a customer-centric approach, they offer tailored solutions for everyone, from those quitting smoking to experienced users. With a focus on research and education, Vape Superstore has earned its reputation as a reliable guide in the dynamic world of vaping.
About David Phillips, Lead Content Writer
David Phillips is the lead content writer at Vape Superstore, with a decade of involvement in the vaping industry. Armed with a journalism diploma, he has spent the past ten years exploring the world of vaping. David has a hands-on research approach and is committed to delivering fact-based content that is useful to readers. As a former smoker, he has personally experienced the advantages that switching to vaping has to offer, not only for well-being but also for cost savings. David is enthusiastic about raising awareness about vaping’s benefits and helping people make the switch away from tobacco.
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
