Single-use vapes banned across the UK

From 1 June 2025 it is illegal to sell or supply single-use (disposable) vapes anywhere in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, according to Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service¹. The service states the ban applies across all four UK nations and directs readers to the government's website for more information¹.

The fire service says vapes and e-cigarettes can be a fire risk if not used, charged or disposed of correctly¹. Its guidance covers buying, charging and disposal. On buying, it says to "Only buy vapes and e-cigarettes from reputable sellers. Make sure they meet UK product safety standards and display the UKCA or European CE safety mark," adding that "Sub-standard or fake products can be a fire risk"¹. On charging, it says to use only the charger that came with the device or one recommended by the manufacturer, to charge on a hard, flat, heat-resistant surface, never to cover chargers, never to overcharge or leave a device charging continuously, and never to charge near exits, hallways or sleeping areas¹. It also says never to leave a charging vape unattended or charging when going to bed¹.

On disposal, the service says: "Never dispose of vapes or e-cigarettes in general waste or recycling bins. If crushed or punctured, the battery can ignite and cause fires in bin lorries or at waste centres"¹. It states that shops are legally required to offer a take-back scheme, and that damaged or end-of-life devices can be taken to a local household waste recycling centre if unsure¹.

Electrical Safety First, a consumer safety charity, published research on disposal habits in the week before the ban took effect. It found that almost three in five (58%) planned to dispose of their vapes in their household's general waste or recycling bin, while over two thirds (71%) admitted they were aware that improper disposal can cause fires in refuse trucks and waste centres; nearly 30% were not aware of the risks³.

The charity reported three incidents. The contents of a bin lorry caught fire in Slough earlier in May 2025, and the crew had to dump around five tonnes of rubbish in the middle of the road so the fire did not engulf the whole vehicle; the fire caused substantial damage to the vehicle³. Two tonnes of rubbish had to be dumped by a bin lorry in East Yorkshire in January after it caught fire, and a fire broke out at a waste centre in Manchester in April which was attended by four fire engines³. The charity states both the Slough and East Yorkshire incidents were caused by the incorrect disposal of a vape³.

Electrical Safety First says all retailers that sell vapes in the UK must take back old ones to recycle, that some councils collect electrical devices for recycling, and that many household waste and recycling centres have facilities for electricals and batteries³. It also states that disposable vapes have been illegal in the UK since June 2025⁴. Separately, it reports that data from waste management company Biffa showed more than 840,000 vapes were found in four of its sites between June and September 2025, an average of more than 7,000 every day⁴.

Why it matters for households

The ban changes what can be sold, not what households may already own. Devices bought before 1 June 2025 remain in homes, and the fire service's guidance on charging and storage applies to them¹. Electrical Safety First advises that vapes should not be put in general waste or normal recycling because their lithium-ion batteries can be crushed or damaged and spark fires in recycling centres or bin lorries, and that they must be recycled properly⁴. The fire service advises returning used devices to the retailer, which it says is legally required to offer a take-back scheme, or taking them to a household waste recycling centre¹. Electrical Safety First advises registering products so owners can be contacted if there is a safety recall⁴. It also advises that an RCD in the consumer unit protects against electric shock if there is a fault with a vape charger, and that where there is no RCD protection an RCD plug can be used on the socket⁴.

What happens next

No further dates have been reported. The fire service directs readers to the government's website for more information on the ban¹. Households wanting to keep track of official safety and service announcements can use the site's staying informed hub.