In 2024, the United Kingdom government announced plans to reform the tobacco and vaping industries in a number of significant ways. Among the most significant of the announced reforms was an intent to ban disposable vapes in the UK. In this article, we’ll discuss the specifics of these reforms as they currently stand, including why the ban is happening and when you can expect disposable vapes to become unavailable. For now, though, the most important thing to understand is that at some point in the near future, you’ll no longer be able to buy disposable vapes.
Exactly how the government plans to define disposable vapes is open to question. We can be certain, though, that the ban may include any vaping device that’s ever been marketed with the terms “disposable vape” or “disposable e-cigarette.” Stick around to the end of this article to read our FAQ on the disposable vape ban and the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill as we currently understand them.
So, what vapes can you still use after the ban on disposables? Here’s what will remain available once the ban takes effect.
Vapes with Pre-Filled Cartridges and Pods
Any vape that stores its e-liquid in a pre-filled and replaceable cartridge or pod will remain available after the ban on disposables. These include all V2 Vsavi vape kits and pre-filled pod-based devices such as the Vuse Pro, the Voom Pod Mod and the Elf Bar Elfa Pro.
Pros of Pre-Filled Vapes:
·They provide some of the convenience of disposable vapes; just keep the battery topped up and replace the cartridge or pod when it’s empty.
·The starter kits are typically very affordable.
Cons of Pre-Filled Vapes:
·The flavour selection isn’t as large as it would be with a refillable device, which can work with any bottled e-liquid.
·Pre-filled pods and cartridges cost more over time than bottled vape juice.
Vapes with Refillable Cartridges, Pods and Tanks
After the disposable ban, you’ll also still be able to buy any vaping device that stores its e-liquid in a refillable cartridge, pod or tank. These include V2 Vsavi e-liquid kits along with refillable pod vapes, vape pens and vape mods.
Pros of Refillable Vapes:
·They can work with all bottled e-liquids, allowing you to enjoy a wider range of flavours and nicotine strengths.
·They cost less over time than vapes with pre-filled pods or cartridges.
·They often produce bigger vapour clouds than pre-filled vapes, which can be important for those with higher nicotine requirements.
Cons of Refillable Vapes:
·They require a bit more work and maintenance compared to pre-filled vapes.
Vapes That Could Speculatively Remain Available
As we’ll explain in the FAQ at the end of this article, we don’t know precisely how the UK government will define disposable vapes when implementing the ban. Therefore, it’s possible that some devices currently marketed as “disposable vapes” could remain available after the ban with modifications to their designs or marketing language. Those devices include:
·IVG 2400: This device stores its e-liquid in four removable pods. If the device was given a rechargeable battery and the refill pods were made available separately, it seems likely that the IVG 2400 would remain available after the disposable ban.
·Aspire One Up R1: Although this device is marketed as a disposable vape, it has a refillable tank. It is possible that refillable disposable vapes may remain available after the ban even though the tanks aren’t replaceable.
·Elf Bar EV5000: This is another example of a disposable vape with a tank that’s refillable but not replaceable.
·Elf Bar AF5000: This device is basically a traditional disposable vape apart from the fact that the e-liquid is packaged separately in a 10 ml bottle. Because the separate bottle distinguishes it from other disposables, though, it’s possible that it will remain available after the ban.
Love Your Favourite Disposable Vape Flavours? Many Are Now Available in Bottled Form
Although disposable vapes will soon be banned in the UK, it doesn’t mean that you’ll no longer be able to enjoy your favourite flavours because some of the most popular disposable vape brands are now selling their e-liquids in bottled form. In addition, there are some brands that have always offered bottled vape juice and began selling disposable vapes only recently. Some of the disposable vape brands whose e-liquids are available in bottled form include:
·Maryliq (Lost Mary)
·Elfliq (Elf Bar)
·IVG
·Pod Salt
If you currently use disposable vapes from one of the above brands, your vaping experience won’t have to change significantly after disposables are banned. You may have to get used to using a refillable vape, but you’ll still be able to enjoy the same flavours you use now. We expect that other popular makers of disposable vapes will introduce bottled e-liquids or pre-filled pod systems in the UK in the near future.
FAQ on the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill and Disposable Vape Ban
We’ll conclude this guide with a FAQ explaining the current status of the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the disposable vape ban to the best of our knowledge. Note that because the Tobacco and Vapes Bill hasn’t yet been finalised, specific details could potentially change before the ban comes into force.
Is the UK definitely banning disposable vapes?
Most likely. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced by the previous Conservative government but had broad bipartisan support. The bill was also included in the 2024 King’s Speech, indicating that it remains a top priority for the new Labour government.
What is the current progress of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill wasn’t passed under the previous Conservative government and will need to be reintroduced by the new Labour government. It is possible that the Labour Party will change some aspects of the bill before reintroducing it. It’s unlikely that the changes will be significant, though, because the bill already had broad support across both parties.
When will disposable vapes be banned in the UK?
The Conservative government’s original plan was to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill by around the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. At the time of the 2024 UK general election, the bill had reached the report stage in the House of Commons. The Labour government will need to restart the process, so it could still be many months before the bill finally receives royal assent. The current language of the bill includes a six-month grace period between royal assent and when the ban on disposable vapes will actually begin.
Why are disposable vapes being banned?
Disposable vapes are being banned due to the belief that children find them appealing, thus detracting from vaping’s original mission to provide a less harmful alternative to tobacco for adults who already smoke and are already addicted to nicotine. In addition, disposable vapes are problematic for the environment because they are difficult to recycle and contribute to groundwater pollution.
Exactly what devices are being banned?
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill doesn’t specify exactly what devices are being banned. It seems likely that all devices that come pre-filled with vape juice and are intended to be discarded when empty will be included in the ban. There are some fringe cases, though – like the devices mentioned earlier in this article – that may remain available.
Exactly what provisions are in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill?
In its current form, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will do the following.
·It will ban the sale of all tobacco products, herbal smoking products and rolling papers to any person born after 1 January 2009. This is the main component of the “smokefree generation” plan announced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The bill does not ban the sale of vapes to this age group, although 18 remains the minimum age to buy vaping products.
·It gives the Secretary of State the power to enact restrictions on the packaging of vaping products. This may lead to a “plain packaging” law.
·It gives the Secretary of State the power to enact restrictions on the flavours and ingredients of vaping products. This may lead to a ban on certain sweet flavours.
·It gives the Secretary of State the power to enact restrictions on the sizes, shapes and designs of vaping products. This is the language that will allow the government to ban disposable vapes.
Will there be a new tax on vaping products?
The original proposal for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill included a new duty of £1-3 for all vaping products depending on the amount and nicotine strength of the e-liquid they contained. That language, however, isn’t in the current bill. It is possible that the tax will be included in the Labour government’s new version of the bill. It is also possible that the tax will be introduced in a separate bill. Tax revenues from tobacco products have been on the decline for a while as smoking rates in the UK have plummeted. In addition, if the smokefree generation law plays out as planned, Britain will eventually have no smokers at all. The government will have to recoup the lost tax revenue somehow, and that will almost certainly result in a new tax on vaping products.