The ban came into effect on Sunday 1 June 2025
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is reminding retailers, producers and members of the public that single-use vapes are now banned in Northern Ireland.
The ban has also come into force across England, Scotland and Wales.
Retailers should be aware of their legal responsibilities in disposing of any old stock and should offer a waste vape bin in-store for customers to recycle any remaining disposable vapes.
Businesses were given six months to prepare for the change by selling any existing stock of single-use vapes. Retailers must now be able to demonstrate during any inspection that an average user can reuse a device by refilling and recharging.
Who does the ban apply to?
The single-use vapes ban is for businesses in the UK vaping industry, including
- importers
- retail outlets
- vaping product manufacturers
- wholesalers
This includes any shop or business that sells single-use vapes, such as a
- convenience store
- market stall
- petrol station
- specialist vape shop
- supermarket
It also applies to any business or organisation that supplies single-use vapes in any other settings, for example, within a healthcare setting or stop smoking service.
Enforcement of the ban
In Northern Ireland, if you’re found guilty of supplying, offering to supply or having in your possession to supply single-use vapes, you may receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a Magistrates’ Court.
On further conviction of this offence in a Crown Court, you may face a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine, or both. If you fail to provide information that an enforcement body asks for, you may receive a fine on summary conviction of up to £5,000 in a Magistrates’ Court.
Find out more about the single-use vapes ban.
First published 2 June 2025
