BUSINESSES in Leicester are being reminded that a ban on the sale of single-use vapes comes into force next month.
The ban is part of the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-25, and means that from 1 June 2025, there will be significant changes in how businesses can sell tobacco and/or nicotine products.
It will be illegal for businesses to sell or supply, offer to sell or supply, or have in their possession for sale or supply any single-use or ‘disposable’ vapes. The ban applies to all businesses and includes both online and over-the-counter sales.
Leicester City Council’s Trading Standards team has written to more than 900 businesses in the city ahead of the forthcoming ban, to offer advice and remind them of the new rules.
Trading Standards team manager Ron Ruddock said: “To prepare for the ban, businesses need to stop buying new stock of single-use vapes and sell all existing stock. They should now only buy vapes that comply with the new regulations, and they should train all of their employees well in advance of the changes. They also need to prepare their websites well in advance to avoid a breach of the regulation as any sales or even offers of sales after 31 May would be an offence. They should also contact a reputable recycling business to remove any unsold, unlawful products in preparation for 1 June.
“Once the ban comes into force, any businesses that still possess any single-use vaping products need to separate them from other goods, label them as unsellable and remove them from their shop floor and/or website. They will need to arrange for them to be collected by a registered vape recycling service, as vapes cannot be recycled through normal business waste.
“Businesses will also need to offer a vape ‘take back’ service for the disposal of used vapes, and they should continue to offer this after 1 June.”
Deputy city mayor for regulatory services Cllr Elly Cutkelvin said: “This is a welcome change in the law that will help to protect our youth and the environment from a very wasteful disposable single-use product. Our Trading Standards team will be enforcing the ban on single-use vapes and may inspect businesses to ensure they are complying with the new law. They may take action against companies or individuals that don’t comply, including seizing any non-compliant e-liquids or vapes.”
Businesses or individuals that continue to supply, offer to supply, or have in their possession to supply single-use vapes after the ban comes into force, could be faced with an unlimited fine, a prison sentence of up to two years, or both.
To prepare for the ban, businesses can find guidance at: www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban
More information about the city council’s Trading Standards can be found at leicester.gov.uk/business/trading-standards. The team can be contacted at trading.standards@leicester.gov.uk
The city council also offers advice and support for people who would like to stop vaping. For details, visit leicester.gov.uk/public-health
ENDS