The UK’s Changing Vaping Landscape: What You Need to Know
The UK government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill is set to introduce sweeping changes to the vape industry, affecting millions of users. The legislation will outlaw vape advertising and sponsorships, restrict vape flavours, and regulate vape packaging and display. Outdoor vaping in smoke-free places may also be banned, pending consultation. From June 1, 2025, disposable vapes, widely used and discarded, will be banned across England, Wales, and Scotland. This move is designed to protect youth health, reduce environmental damage, and reinforce the message that vaping is a tool to quit smoking—not to create new habits.
At its core, vaping was designed to help smokers transition away from harmful cigarettes, which are responsible for over 78,000 deaths annually in the UK. Unlike smoking, which delivers tar and thousands of toxic chemicals, vape devices provide a safer alternative by delivering controlled doses of nicotine without burning tobacco. According to the NHS, nicotine vapes are the most effective quit-smoking tool, surpassing nicotine patches or gum. Programs like the "swap to stop" initiative highlight this purpose by providing free vape kits to adult smokers. Research shows that smokers using vape products alongside face-to-face support are twice as likely to quit compared to those using other methods.
Despite its effectiveness, vaping is not without concerns. Experts caution that non-smokers, particularly young people, should not start vaping, as it is not risk-free. Its purpose is solely to support smokers in breaking their addiction to cigarettes, not to encourage a new dependency. Alarmingly, the number of non-smokers who vape has risen sharply, with over 1 million people in England who have never smoked now using e-cigarettes.
In 2023, 5.1 million UK adults were reported to be vaping, with 5.9% doing so daily. The highest usage was among 16-24-year-olds, with 16% reporting regular vaping, while 8% of 11-17-year-olds admitted to using vape products—double the rate in 2020. This trend has sparked serious concerns, as it deviates from the intended purpose of vaping as a quit-smoking tool.
The upcoming vaping tax, set to begin on October 1, 2026, will charge £2.20 per 10ml of vape liquid. This complements the 20% VAT already applied, ensuring a financial incentive remains for smokers to switch to vaping rather than traditional tobacco. However, regulations must reinforce the message: vaping is only for those actively trying to quit smoking.
Environmentally, the impact of disposable vapes cannot be ignored. Over 5 million single-use vapes are discarded weekly, containing 40 tonnes of lithium, enough to power 5,000 electric cars. With only 17% of disposable vapes recycled, the industry faces increasing scrutiny over sustainability.
Globally, countries like New Zealand, Australia, and South Korea have implemented strict vape laws to align with its purpose as a smoking cessation tool. The UK’s evolving regulations similarly aim to curb misuse and ensure that vaping serves its original purpose: helping smokers quit, not creating new generations of vape users.