Ealing Council is urging local businesses to prepare for a nationwide ban on disposable vapes from 1 June. Retailers risk hefty fines or prosecution if they fail to comply.
Businesses across Ealing are being reminded to take urgent steps to comply with a new UK-wide law banning the sale and supply of single-use vapes, which comes into force on 1 June 2025. The move, part of a national effort to tackle environmental damage and discourage youth vaping, will make it illegal for any business to sell, offer to sell, or even possess disposable vapes for sale.
Ealing Council’s trading standards team is working closely with local retailers to ensure they understand the law and are ready ahead of the ban. Officers will soon begin a programme of advisory visits, particularly focusing on stores located near schools. They will also take the opportunity to reinforce existing legislation on underage sales and the distribution of non-compliant tobacco products.
The forthcoming legislation applies to all kinds of commercial operators – from convenience stores and supermarkets to online retailers, importers, and specialist vape shops. Any business found in breach of the rules could face an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both. Trading standards officers will be empowered to seize stock and initiate investigations that could result in a range of civil or criminal penalties.
Retailers are being urged to take action now by stopping the purchase of new disposable vape stock, selling through their existing supplies, and preparing their operations for compliance with the new law. After the ban takes effect, any remaining single-use products must be clearly marked as unsellable, removed from public display, and stored securely until collected for disposal by a registered vape recycling service.
“The upcoming ban will not only help protect the environment but also reduce the appeal of vapes to children.”
Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing cabinet member
Ealing Council says the ban is necessary to address a growing environmental concern. Disposable vapes are often discarded as general waste or as litter on streets and in parks. The single-use products contain batteries and rare metals like lithium, which are difficult to recover and hazardous to the environment when improperly disposed of. They also present a risk of fire when placed in household waste bins, endangering waste workers and the public.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Cabinet Member for Decent Living Incomes, said: “Disposable vapes are often tossed aside as litter or thrown into bins without a second thought. This introduces toxic materials into our environment and poses serious safety risks. Just as worrying is the increasing number of young people who are taking up vaping, often beginning with disposable products. The new law will help curb this trend while also protecting our environment.”
He added: “The ban is a clear signal to businesses that they need to adapt now. We’re committed to helping retailers transition smoothly, but the onus is on them to make sure they comply with the law. The consequences of non-compliance are serious.”
Although single-use vapes will be banned, reusable products will still be permitted under strict conditions. For a vape to be considered reusable, it must be both rechargeable and refillable. This includes devices with replaceable coils or pods, and users must be able to buy these refill components separately. Devices that are only rechargeable or only refillable – but not both – will also fall under the ban.
The new rules are consistent across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with each nation responsible for enforcing compliance through its relevant authorities. These include Trading Standards, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), Border Force, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Businesses found to be flouting the ban can expect coordinated enforcement action. Officers from these agencies are authorised to carry out inspections and may ask for documentation or evidence that vaping products being sold meet the new standards. Retailers are reminded that they have the right to ask for photographic identification from enforcement officers during any such inspection.
With just weeks to go before the ban becomes law, Ealing Council is urging all vape sellers to act now, review their stock, and prepare their staff to ensure their business remains compliant. The council is offering guidance and support to help local businesses navigate the changes and will continue to monitor how the rollout of the ban affects both retailers and consumers.
For more information about the disposable vape ban and how to prepare, businesses are encouraged to contact Ealing Council’s Trading Standards team or visit the official government guidance website.
