Shopkeepers have been advised to act now in preparation for the disposable vapes ban which comes into force on 1st June.
The new legislation, from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), will make it illegal for businesses, including those online, to sell or supply all single-use vapes.
The ban will apply to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and covers both nicotine and non-nicotine containing vaping products, which are not refillable or rechargeable.
Businesses are also being reminded of their legal duty to provide collection points for waste vapes to their customers.
Anyone caught selling or supplying single-use vapes on or after 1st June could face fines or other sanctions.
The ban has been brought into place to help curb the rise in youth vaping, with national figures from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) estimating over half of children who use vapes report using disposable models, which often have colourful packaging and sweet flavours.
In line with national policy, Leeds City Council has been writing to retailers across the city ahead of the ban, advising them to stop buying new stock of single-use vapes and sell all existing stock before 1st June.
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, commented: “The incoming ban on disposable vapes is a vital measure towards improving the health of Leeds residents, particularly for our young people, as well as tackling the environmental damage that they cause. I would urge all our retailers to take action now to prepare for the new legislation coming into force.”
The ban also aims to reduce the damage caused to the environment and wildlife from vapes disposed of in domestic waste and littered across the city, causing the release of harmful substances such as lead and mercury into soil, rivers and streams.
Used e-cigarettes and disposable vapes should be returned to the shops they were bought from for recycling or taken to the nearest electrical recycling point, which can be found at www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk. They can also be deposited in the special vape bins at one of the eight waste recycling points in Leeds.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “Please do not throw vapes in household green recycling or black wheelie bins due to the risk of fire from the lithium-ion batteries. Recycling your old vapes also helps protect the environment, as they contain valuable materials like metal, plastic and lithium batteries that can be made into new items.”
Further information for retailers can be found at: www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban
