Disposable vapes banned to protect children's health

The measure is part of the government’s response to its consultation on smoking and vaping, launched in October 2023.

Recent figures show the number of children using vapes in the past three years has tripled. Use among younger children is also rising, with nine per cent of 11 to 15-year-olds now using vapes. The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown, and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive, with withdrawal sometimes causing anxiety, trouble concentrating and headaches. While vaping can play a role in helping adult smokers to quit, children should never vape.

Disposable vapes have been a key driver behind the alarming rise in youth vaping, with the proportion of 11 to 17-year-old vapers using disposables increasing almost ninefold in the last two years.