Wales to ban single-use vapes by June 2025

The Welsh Government has confirmed plans to ban single-use vapes starting from June 2025, in an effort to tackle plastic pollution and reduce environmental harm.

The announcement comes as part of broader legislation targeting single-use plastics, with Wales joining other UK nations in coordinated efforts to enforce the ban.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, announced the new regulations in a written statement, confirming that the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 will come into force next year.

The move is seen as a critical step in addressing the growing issue of plastic litter caused by disposable vapes, which are increasingly found discarded in public spaces and natural habitats.

“I am pleased to confirm that I will be introducing The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 to prohibit the supply (including for free) of single-use vapes in Wales,” said Mr Irranca-Davies.

“Introducing these regulations will be another crucial step in tackling litter and plastic pollution, which blight our environment.”

The regulations, which were first proposed in April 2024, have undergone a period of consultation and amendments following feedback from stakeholders.

The Welsh Government has worked closely with UK Government and devolved administrations in Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure that the ban is introduced in a consistent and coordinated manner across the UK, promoting high levels of compliance.

The Deputy First Minister confirmed that the ban will officially take effect from 1 June 2025.

By aligning the enforcement date across the UK, the government hopes to ensure a smoother rollout of the ban and a unified approach to tackling the environmental challenges posed by single-use vapes.

“Action to tackle the environmental and social impacts of single-use vapes is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and we continue to work with the other UK nations to address these challenges,” Mr Irranca-Davies added.

This new regulation forms part of Wales’ wider efforts to combat plastic waste, building on its earlier ban of other single-use plastics.

The introduction of this legislation comes amid growing concerns about the harmful effects of discarded vapes, which contain not only plastic but also toxic chemicals that can harm wildlife and ecosystems.

The Welsh Government says it will continue to engage with stakeholders and conduct impact assessments as the ban is rolled out.