From 1 June 2025 it will be illegal for businesses to sell or supply, offer to sell or supply, or have in their possession for sale or supply all single use vape products.

The new legislation applies to all vapes whether they contain nicotine or not and will affect both sales in shop and online.

A recent study identified that almost five million single use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in the UK. Vape batteries contain lithium which can be recycled. This resource is lost when vapes are put in black bins as they end up either in landfill or being incinerated.

Incorrect disposal can also lead to fires, posing a risk to waste management workers, the fire service, and the public.

Derby City Council’s Trading Standards team will enforce the ban in the city, with several civil sanctions at their disposal including a stop notice, compliance notices, and fines of £200. Should a business continue to sell or supply vapes, they may be charged with an unlimited fine, a prison sentence up to two years, or both.

For vapes to be considered reusable, replacement components (including the pre-filled pods, e-liquid refill bottles and coils) must be separately available to buy either in-store or online.

Businesses can check whether a nicotine-containing vaping product is reusable on the MHRA website, but you must first consider the ‘definition of a reusable vape’ above to make sure the product is refillable and rechargeable.

As this new legislation will have an impact particularly on small businesses Derby City Council’s Trading Standards team will be visiting selected retailers to offer guidance and support them in being compliant with the regulations.

Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning, and Regulatory Services, said: 

Single use vapes present a real challenge for our environment, present a safety risk, and can take up valuable time for our waste management workers and emergency service. This new legislation will help us tackle the issues and make our city a cleaner place.

Businesses should take the time now to prepare so they are not caught out after 1 June. If you need support or any advice around this legislation, please reach out to our Trading Standards team.

For more information and advice about the ban, businesses can contact the Derby City Council trading standards team on 01332 642424 or by emailing environmental.services@derby.gov.uk.

More guidance can be found on the Government website.