2 days Ago By [email protected] (Gillian Martin)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Single-use vapes are an increasing issue for our environment , communities and, in particular, children and young people.
That’s why from the June 1 2025, the sale and supply of single-use vapes will be banned in Scotland. The Scottish Government was the first in the United Kingdom to commit to taking action to tackle the environmental impact of single use vapes – which cause litter on our streets, risk fires in waste facilities, and could cause long-term health damage. An urgent review of the impact of vapes on the environment two years ago found that up to 26 million disposable vapes were consumed and thrown away in Scotland in just one year.
Of these vapes, an estimated 10 per cent were littered and more than half were incorrectly disposed. With millions of vapes littered every year, there is a significant and increasing cost to local authorities through litter clear up and waste management. And, where vapes are incorrectly disposed of, the batteries increase risk of fires at waste centres and on collection vehicles that can damage equipment paid for by the taxpayer or even be a risk to personal safety.
As well as benefiting our environment, this ban will also support our commitment to tackle youth vaping in Scotland. Vapes are, of course, part of a range of possible cessation tools available to existing smokers to help stop tobacco use. What they are not is a lifestyle accessory for children or adult nonsmokers.
And, whilst we do not yet fully understand the long-term effects vaping has on our health , evidence shows that they are not harm-free. I have been working closely with my counterparts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on implementing this ban to make sure businesses are ready for the changes ahead. I will continue to work with regulators regarding enforcement once the ban comes into force.
I am confident that this ban will hugely benefit people across Scotland – making our environment a safer, more pleasant space to spend time in and enjoy, as well as improving people’s health and wellbeing. I wish to pay tribute to the many campaigners who have pursued this ban, and the Daily Record , which spearheaded this ban through their ‘Bin the Vapes’ campaign..
