Ealing Council is urging retailers across the borough to prepare for a nationwide ban on disposable vapes which comes into force on 1 June 2025. Businesses that fail to comply could face unlimited fines, up to two years in prison, or both.
The ban will make it illegal to sell or possess disposable, single-use vapes. Ealing Council’s trading standards team is supporting businesses ahead of the change, with a focus on those near schools.
As part of a borough-wide advisory programme, trading standards officers will be visiting retailers to discuss the new law and remind them of regulations on underage sales and non-compliant tobacco products.
The new legislation covers anyone connected with the sale and distribution of vapes including shops, importers, online retailers, wholesalers and distributors.
Retailers are advised to stop buying disposable vapes, sell remaining stock and switch to refillable, rechargeable vapes. Unsold items must be removed from display and clearly marked “not for sale” until properly disposed of.
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Disposable vapes are often discarded as litter or thrown into the bin instead of being properly recycled. This introduces harmful substances to our environment. Discarded disposable vapes can also pose a fire risk.”
Councillor Nagpal added: “The number of children that vape is rising, with disposable vapes usually their product of choice. The upcoming ban will not only help protect the environment but also reduce the appeal of vapes to children. I encourage retailers to act now and make sure their businesses comply with the law in advance of the ban coming into effect.”
