From 1 June 2025, the sale and supply of single-use vapes will be banned across the UK.
The new regulations address the environmental and public health challenges posed by disposable vapes.
Businesses are encouraged to review their stock and prepare for these changes to ensure compliance with the law.
What the ban means
Under The Environmental Protection (Single-Use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024, a single-use vape is defined as a device that:
- is not designed to be refilled
- is not designed to be recharged, or
- meets both criteria above
This ban applies to both in-store and online sales. It covers all products classified as single-use vapes.
Defra guidance
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs [Defra] has published guidance on:
- practical steps to transition to compliant products
- enforcement measures and potential penalties for non-compliance
Read the Single use vapes ban guidance.
What your business should do now
- review stock and identify products that will no longer be sold legally
- stop buying new stock of single-use vapes; sell through all existing stock
- only buy vapes from reputable sources that follow the new regulations
- train your employees about the new requirements and compliance expectations
- arrange for the environmentally responsible disposal of any unsold single-use vapes
What your business should do from 1 June
From 1 June 2025, it is an offence to have disposable vaping products in your possession for sale. Any leftover disposable vaping products must be:
- stored in stock rooms, away from the shop floor, and
- separated from other goods, securely wrapped, and clearly labelled, they are waiting to be collected for disposal and are not for sale
Enforcement and penalties
Enforcement of the ban in Scotland will be carried out by local Trading Standards teams.
Businesses found in violation may face:
- seizure of non-compliant products
- fixed penalty notice
- criminal prosecution with fines of up to £5000
Why this ban matters
Single-use vapes are difficult to recycle. They typically end up in landfills, where their batteries can leak harmful waste like battery acid, lithium, and mercury.
Batteries thrown into household waste also cause fires in bin lorries and waste-processing centres.
Defra estimates almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown into general waste each week last year.
