Disposable vapes ban to come into force across UK from 1 April 2025
On February 23, the Scottish Government announced the relevant regulations for the Disposable Vapes ban and launched a two-week brief consultation on plans to implement the ban. The government has stated that the ban on Disposable Vapes will come into effect across the UK on April 1, 2025.
The Scottish government statement said: “While each country will need to have separate legislation banning the sale and supply of Disposable Vapes, governments have worked together to agree a date for when the ban will come into force, providing certainty for businesses and consumers.”
The move follows recommendations for a ban on Disposable Vapes made at last year’s “Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation and Addressing Youth Vaping” consultation in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is understood that the draft legislation for a ban on Disposable Vapes will be open for public comment before March 8, and Scotland is using the powers conferred by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to advance the draft legislation.
Circular economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “Legislating to ban the sale and supply of Disposable Vapes delivers on the government’s plan to reduce the use of Vape by non-smokers and young people and to take action to address its environmental impact.” It is estimated that more than 26 million Disposable Vapes were consumed and discarded in Scotland last year
On the other hand, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the Scottish Government to consider the impact of its proposed ban on disposable vapes on the illegal market. New consumer polling commissioned by ACS shows that the ban will lead to a significant increase in the illegal vape market, with 24% of existing adult Disposable Vapes users in the UK seeking to source their products from the illegal market.
8% of Disposable vape users will return to tobacco products after ban
James Lowman, chief executive of ACS, said: “The Scottish Government should not rush into implementing a ban on Disposable Vapes without proper consultation with industry and a clear understanding of the impact of the illegal vape market, which already accounts for 50% of the UK e-cigarette market. One-third. Policymakers have not considered how vape users will respond to a ban and how a ban will expand the already huge illegal vape market.”
“We need a clear plan to communicate this policy change to consumers without compromising smoke-free goals, as our research also shows that 8% of Disposable Vapes users will return to tobacco products following the ban .”
The UK government is expected to publish details of its proposal to ban Disposable Vapes in the coming days, and we will be watching.
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