Health and wellbeing
Council enforces disposable vapes ban with quit smoking support offer
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As of 1 June 2025, the sale and supply of single use (disposable) vapes became illegal across the UK. This ban applies to all disposable vapes (whether or not they contain nicotine) and includes both in-store and online sales.
Walsall Council’s Trading Standards team are reminding all local businesses and retailers of their legal obligation to comply with the ban. The ban aims to protect public health, by addressing the rise in youth vaping, protecting the environment, reducing fire and safety risks and limiting access to these products by children. Reusable vapes, which have to be refillable, rechargeable and have a replaceable coil, can continue to be sold or supplied.
“ This ban is vital to protect public health, particularly the rise in youth vaping and our local environment from the harmful waste generated by disposable vapes. We have been working with retailers to ensure they understand their responsibilities and have sufficient time to clear existing stock before the 1 June deadline. “
Residents are encouraged to support enforcement efforts. Businesses still selling or supplying disposable vapes should be reported to Trading Standards by calling 0808 223 1133 or emailing tradingstandards@walsall.gov.uk.
Any business found to be selling disposable vapes will be subject to a stop or penalty notice. Repeated offences may result in an unlimited fine or a prison sentence of up to two years. Trading Standards will also seize any single use vapes and retailers may be liable for paying any costs of disposing of seized stock.
In line with the council’s commitment to protecting public health and working towards a smoke-free generation, Walsall Council Public Health is continuing to encourage residents to seek support to quit smoking. This includes the offer of nicotine replacement therapy and expert support, as well as a ‘swap to stop’ offer where residents can switch from cigarettes to using regulated, refillable vapes as a quitting aid.
“ Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health and there are a range of different ways that people can be supported.
Vaping, while not risk-free, can be an effective tool to help people quit smoking when combined with expert support. Regulated vapes and nicotine replacement products, such as patches and gum, offer a much safer way to get nicotine without inhaling tobacco smoke. However, those who have never smoked and anyone under 18 should not start vaping.
I would encourage you to seek support from our local services to help you quit for good. “
Be Well Walsall provides up to 12 weeks of expert support to help anyone living, working, or registered with a GP in Walsall become smoke-free. Support includes access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), or vapes, to aid in quitting smoking. Text SMOKEFREE to 60777, visit https://bww.maximusuk.co.uk/, or call 01922 444044.
Residents can also access the Quit with Bella app (fully funded by Walsall Council), which provides support from AI robo-coach Bella and the option to speak with an advisor for further help, including a 12-week supply of NRT or vapes. Download the Quit with Bella app from the App Store or Google Play or visit www.quitwithbella.com.
A free, video-based quit smoking course from The Sound Doctor is also available for Walsall residents. This course is ideal for those considering quitting, looking for more information on how to start quitting or as a supplementary aid to somebody on a quit journey.
- The ban complements the Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will further tackle youth vaping and safeguard children’s health. To find out more about the single use (disposable) vapes ban visit GOV.UK.
- Advice on the single-use vapes ban for businesses can also be found on GOV.UK.
- The 2021 NICE guidelines identified nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as a first choice stop smoking aid and recommended that people who smoke and want to quit should be advised that nicotine containing e-cigarettes, when combined with behavioural support, are more likely to result in them successfully stopping smoking.
- While nicotine is addictive, the real danger of smoking comes from the thousands of other harmful chemicals in cigarettes. Vaping (while not risk free) and nicotine replacement products (such as patches and gum), offer a much safer way to get nicotine without inhaling tobacco smoke. Public Health’s message for non-smokers, however, remains the same: if they do not smoke, they should not vape. Those under 18 years old should not be vaping and it is illegal to sell or buy vapes for under 18s.
