With the government announcing a ban on single-use vapes by June 2025, alongside the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the UK is taking a landmark step towards creating a smoke-free nation.
The new legislation targets nicotine addiction, youth vaping, and environmental harm while promoting public health and sustainable practices, which can only be a good thing for schools and other industries.
We’re giving a breakdown of the new laws, what they mean, their impact on the general public, property owners, businesses, and schools, and what you need to know to prepare.
The new vape legislation explained
1. Single-use vape ban to address environmental impact
From 1st June 2025, the sale and supply of single-use vapes will be prohibited in England. These disposable devices, which are neither rechargeable nor refillable, have been a significant environmental problem.
Key reasons for the ban:
- Public support: a government consultation found 69% of respondents supported banning disposable vapes.
- Waste management: over 5 million disposable vapes are discarded every week. That’s a huge number often ending up in landfills or as litter, leaching harmful materials like lithium into our ecosystems.
- Youth vaping: disposable vapes are highly popular among young people, with 25% of 11–15-year-olds reportedly using them in 2023. That’s a shocking statistic that highlights the growing popularity of these products.
2. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill creating a smoke-free generation
From 2027, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1st January 2009. What does this include? Well, everything from cigarettes to cigars, shisha to herbal smoking products, and even heated tobacco. The aim is to gradually phase out smoking for future generations.
3. Expanded vape and nicotine controls
Advertising ban: no more advertising and sponsorship for any vape or nicotine products, including non-nicotine vapes.
Youth protection: sales of these products to under-18s will be banned, and flavours, packaging, and product displays will be more strictly regulated.
Vape-free zones: wider-spread restrictions on vaping in public spaces, such as schools, colleges and playgrounds, are being considered.
4. Enforcement and registration
We’ll be seeing new measures including:
- A product registration system ensuring safety compliance before items reach the market.
- Fixed penalty notices of up to £200 for underage sales and up to £2,500 for licensing offences.
- Licensing schemes for retailers selling tobacco, vapes, and nicotine products.
How does the new legislation affect different groups?
The general public
We’re all looking for ways to make our environment safer, and the new laws aim to do just that. The goal is to create cleaner spaces by reducing exposure to smoking and vaping, for example, public areas, including some outdoor settings, may become smoke-free and vape-free.
With reduced vaping comes lots of benefits such as fewer health risks. The UK will be heavily limiting second-hand smoke and vape exposure. Not only this, but our spaces will be cleaner, free of tobacco and vape litter.
Property owners
Landlords and property managers may see benefits from reduced vape-related waste and damage, as the ban on disposable vapes curbs environmental harm and will make properties more desirable to stay in.
With fewer instances of nicotine stains or discarded vape devices in rented properties, landlords can better manage their properties and reduce asset damage. Not only this, but spaces will be safer and more inviting for guests or tenants.
Property owners will potentially need to comply with smoke-free or vape-free regulations in shared outdoor areas, this is where vape detectors for rental properties come in.
Business owners
Retailers and manufacturers face both challenges and opportunities with these new regulations. Whilst they’ll need to consider strategies to remain compliant with new legislation, such as vape detectors, they will experience the benefits.
Attracting environmentally conscious customers by emphasising sustainable practices alongside creating a space that customers and clients will feel safe in can boost business.
Schools, colleges and educational institutions
With youth vaping on the rise, schools have struggled to address the issue, experiencing a range of challenges. From diminished health and behavioural impact such as anxiety, to finding disposable vapes across school premises, the new legislation provides stronger measures to protect students, staff and school property.
Stricter enforcement will make disposable vapes less accessible to young people, and potential vape-free zones in and around school grounds will help create safer spaces. This works in tandem with the public health initiatives, offering better support for addressing nicotine addiction among students.
Why this legislation is necessary
Health benefits
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK, killing around 80,000 people each year. It contributes to severe health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and asthma, costing the NHS and social care system £3.1 billion annually. While vaping can help adults quit smoking, it poses risks, particularly to young people. Youth vaping rates have doubled in the past five years, with one in four children trying vaping by 2023. It’s a scary set of statistics, but we’re heading in the right direction.
Environmental impact
Disposable vapes contribute significantly to electronic waste. In 2022, over 40 tonnes of lithium from discarded vapes were wasted (that’s enough to power 5,000 electric cars). Banning single-use vapes is a key step towards reducing this waste and protecting wildlife.
What’s the timeline for the new legislation?
- June 2025: ban on single-use vapes takes effect.
- January 2027: sales of tobacco to those born after 1st January 2009 will be prohibited.
- Other measures, including vape-free zones and licensing schemes, will be introduced gradually via secondary legislation.
What can I do to prepare for the new vape legislation changes?
Property and business owners
Prepare for new regulations by reviewing current policies and ensuring compliance with smoke-free and vape-free rules. An effective, long-term strategy is vape detectors, with an added bonus that they also work as smoke detectors.
For schools and communities
Educators and local authorities should leverage these changes to raise awareness about the risks of vaping and smoking, particularly for young people, offering support and education to pupils. Alongside this, technology such as vape detectors are a key tool in moving towards a vape-free environment.
Get ahead of the new vape legislation
The UK is taking bold steps to tackle nicotine addiction, youth vaping, and environmental harm. While the transition may present challenges and will take time to move away from vape culture, it offers opportunities to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
Whether you’re a consumer, property owner, business leader, or school, by embracing these changes, we can all play a role in creating a smoke-free, environmentally friendly UK. Vape detectors are a vital piece of technology, helping the vape-free initiative. With SMS alert systems and additional tools, vape sensors offer a range of benefits for all industries, from classrooms to hotels.
For more information on complying with the new laws or adopting vape detector solutions, contact us today