The Scottish Government has announced a comprehensive ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes, set to take effect on 1 April 2025, via the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations SSI 2024/269.
This decision follows a public consultation that revealed strong support for stricter regulations on vaping, driven by concerns over environmental and public health impacts.
The ban will be enforced using powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, similar to previous bans on items like microbeads and single-use plastics.
Over 26 million disposable vapes were consumed and discarded in Scotland last year, with significant costs to local authorities for litter cleanup and waste management. Improper disposal of vapes poses fire risks at waste facilities, further highlighting the need for this ban.
The ban aims to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people, addressing the rising use of vapes among adolescents. Research suggests that almost one in five adolescents have tried vapes, raising alarms about the potential long-term health impacts.
The Scottish Government is working with the UK Government and other nations to ensure a coordinated approach to the ban. This collaboration aims to provide certainty for businesses and consumers across the UK.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater emphasised the government’s commitment, stating, “Legislating to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes fulfills a Programme for Government commitment to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and take action to tackle their environmental impact.
The public consultation demonstrated that there is strong support for tougher action on vaping. From causing fires in waste facilities to more than 26 million disposable vapes being consumed and thrown away in Scotland in the past year, single-use vapes are a threat to our environment as well as to our public health.
These proposed changes to the law demonstrate our absolute commitment to further improve the wellbeing of communities and protecting our beautiful natural environment”.
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