Two new ASH Wales/YouGov reports provide fresh evidence on tobacco and vape regulation and smoking-related inequalities in social housing in Wales.
VAPING • LAW & REGULATION
Single-use (disposable) vapes are banned in Wales
The ban has been in force since 1st June 2025. Businesses in Wales cannot legally supply, offer to supply or hold single-use vapes for supply – whether they contain nicotine or not.
Reusable vapes are not banned.
Last reviewed: September 2026
The short version
In force since 1st June 2025
The ban is already law – it is not a future change.
Nicotine and nicotine-free
The ban covers all single-use vapes, whether or not they contain nicotine.
Shops and online
It applies to supply through shops, websites and other businesses or organisations.
Reusable vapes remain legal
Reusable products can still be sold if they meet the legal definition and other vape regulations.
What counts as a single-use vape?
Official guidance defines a vape as single-use if it is not designed or intended for reuse. A product is single-use if its battery cannot be recharged or if it cannot be refilled.
Single-use: banned from supply
A vape is single-use if it has a battery that cannot be recharged, or if the e-liquid container cannot be refilled.
Businesses cannot sell, supply, offer to supply – including for free – or hold these products for supply in Wales.
Reusable: still legal
A reusable vape must have a rechargeable battery and a refillable e-liquid container. If it contains a coil, that coil must be removable and replaceable by the user.
Refills and replacement parts should be available separately.
What does the ban mean for you?
If you use vapes
The law is aimed at the supply of single-use vapes. It does not make personal possession or use of a disposable vape an offence.
If you already have one, dispose of it safely through a vape recycling point or household recycling centre – not in household rubbish.
If you sell or supply vapes
Businesses must not sell or supply single-use vapes, offer them for sale or supply, or keep stock intended for supply.
Leftover banned stock must be removed from sale and recycled safely. Vape retailers also have responsibilities for taking back used vapes and vape parts for recycling.
Why was the ban introduced?
The ban is environmental legislation. Single-use vapes contain batteries, plastics and other materials that are difficult to recover when they are littered or put into general waste, and damaged batteries can create a fire risk.
8.2 million
vapes were estimated to be thrown away or littered every week in the UK before the ban
That estimate was cited by the UK Government in April 2025, shortly before the ban came into force. It should not be treated as a current post-ban figure.
Welsh Government also reported that, before the ban, an estimated 360,000 single-use vapes were littered on the ground in Wales each year, with a further 120,000 flushed down toilets.
Still seeing disposable vapes for sale?
If a business is still selling or supplying single-use vapes, that can be reported. You do not need to investigate, confront a seller or prove an offence yourself.
Local authorities in Wales lead enforcement of the single-use vape ban.
This ban is separate from the Tobacco & Vapes Act 2026
The single-use vape ban comes from environmental regulations in Wales and has been in force since June 2025. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 is separate legislation covering wider tobacco, vaping and nicotine rules.
From 29th October 2026, new age-of-sale and related rules for vaping and nicotine products begin to take effect.
Official guidance
For the legal definition, business duties and enforcement information, use the official Welsh Government and GOV.UK guidance.