Content of the ban

From June 1, 2025, there will be a total ban on the sale, offer for sale or possession for sale of all disposable e-cigarettes (both nicotine-containing and nicotine-free products) in the UK.

Scope of application: both online and bricks-and-mortar sales will be restricted.

Reusable e-cigarettes: can still be sold, subject to conditions of rechargeability and refillability.

Reasons for the ban

Disposable e-cigarettes are an inefficient use of a critical resource and are often discarded as litter or go into the non-recyclable trash.

Littering pollutes communities and harms soil, rivers and biodiversity.

When disposable e-cigarettes enter landfills or are incinerated, they can lead to wasted resources and even start fires, threatening the safety of waste workers, firefighters and the public.

Who it applies to

UK businesses in the e-cigarette industry, including importers, retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers.

Common sales venues: convenience stores, market stalls, gas stations, specialty e-cigarette stores, supermarkets, etc.

Definition of disposable e-cigarettes

Disposable e-cigarettes: are products that are not reusable.

Definition of reusable e-cigarettes: must meet both rechargeable and refillable conditions.

Consequences of non-compliance

UK harmonization: from June 1, 2025, it will be illegal to sell or possess for sale disposable e-cigarettes.

Enforcement agencies: Border Force, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), Trading Standards, etc.

Specific regulations for each region:

England: faces a £200 fine for a first offense, and may face an unlimited fine or up to 2 years imprisonment for subsequent offenses.

Wales: fixed fine of £200 or more, and enforcement cost recovery notice.

Scotland: up to £5,000 fine, and may face up to 2 years imprisonment or a higher fine subsequently.

Northern Ireland: up to £5,000 fine, may face 2 years imprisonment or higher fine thereafter.

How to tell if an e-cigarette is marketable

Reusable e-cigarettes: must have a refillable container (e.g. cartridge, reservoir) and a rechargeable battery.

Unsaleable devices: single unit devices with mouthpiece, reservoir compartment and battery fixed together, with no way to change coils or fill liquids; devices that are rechargeable but have non-replaceable coils, or no way to buy pre-filled cartridges, vape liquids or coils separately.

Other Restrictions

E-cigarette products: remain subject to the Chemical Classification, Labeling and Packaging Regulations (2015), the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (2016), and the Waste Regulations for electronic devices and batteries.

Recycling requirements: all e-cigarettes (disposable or reusable) are subject to the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. Businesses that sell e-cigarettes must offer a “take-back service” to accept customer returns of e-cigarettes and their components.

Inventory Disposal

As of June 1, 2025, businesses may not sell or supply any disposable e-cigarettes.

Suggested measures: stop buying disposable e-cigarette inventory; liquidate existing inventory; purchase e-cigarettes that comply with the new regulations.

Remaining inventory: separate disposable e-cigarettes from other merchandise; mark as unsaleable; dispose of through a registered e-cigarette recycling service.