Councils call for ban of disposable vapes

The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, is calling for the government to ban the sale and manufacture of single use vapes by 2024.

The LGA said it is crucial that that ban comes into effect rapidly, as with the EU proposing a ban in 2026 and France rolling out a ban in December 2023, there is a risk that as markets close disposable vapes will flood into the UK.

Single use vapes are designed as one unit so batteries cannot be separated from the plastic, making them almost impossible to recycle without going through special treatment. The lithium batteries inside the plastic can sharply increase in temperature if crushed and can become flammable. This comes at a cost to the council taxpayer through fire damage to equipment and the specialist treatment needed to deal with hazardous waste.