On January 20th, the UK government official website published guidance on the ban on disposable e-cigarettes. The document clarifies the definition of disposable e-cigarettes and provides specific details on the penalties that retailers violating the ban may face.
Content of the prohibition
Starting from June 1st, 2025, the UK will completely ban the sale, provision for sale, or possession for sale of all disposable e-cigarettes (including products containing nicotine and products not containing nicotine).
Scope of application: Both online sales and physical store sales are restricted.
Reusable e-cigarettes: still available for sale, but must meet the criteria of being rechargeable and refillable.
Reason for prohibition
The disposable e-cigarette represents a wasteful use of critical resources, often discarded as trash or ending up in non-recyclable waste.
Littering can pollute communities and harm soil, rivers, and biodiversity.
When disposable e-cigarettes are disposed of in landfills or incinerated, they can lead to resource wastage, and even cause fires, posing a threat to waste disposal workers, firefighters, and the general public's safety.
Target audience
The e-cigarette industry in the UK consists of importers, retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers.
Common sales locations include convenience stores, market stalls, gas stations, specialty e-cigarette stores, supermarkets, etc.
Definition of disposable e-cigarette
Disposable e-cigarette refers to a product that is designed for single use and cannot be recharged or refilled.
Regarding the definition of a reusable e-cigarette: it must meet both the conditions of being rechargeable and refillable.
Consequences of violations
A new regulation in the UK has been issued, stating that as of June 1, 2025, the sale or possession of disposable e-cigarettes for sale will be considered illegal.
Law enforcement agencies such as the Border Force, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), and the Trading Standards Authority.
Specific regulations vary by region
In England, the first violation will result in a fine of £200, with the possibility of unlimited fines or up to 2 years imprisonment for subsequent offenses.
Wales: Fixed penalty of £200 or higher, as well as enforcement cost recovery notice.
Scotland: Maximum fine of £5,000, with potential for up to 2 years in prison or a higher fine.
Northern Ireland: Maximum fine of 5000 pounds, with potential for up to 2 years imprisonment or higher fines.
How to determine if e-cigarettes can be sold.
Reusable e-cigarettes must have a refillable container (such as a pod or liquid chamber) and a rechargeable battery.
Non-sellable devices: Individual devices with the mouthpiece, liquid reservoir, and battery fixed together and unable to replace coils or refill liquid; devices are rechargeable but coils are not replaceable, or unable to purchase pre-filled pods, e-liquid, or coils separately.
Other restrictions
E-cigarette products must still comply with regulations on chemical classification, labeling and packaging (2015), tobacco and related products regulations (2016), as well as regulations on electronic devices and battery waste.
Recycling Requirements: All e-cigarettes (both disposable and reusable) must comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. Companies selling e-cigarettes must provide a recycling service, accepting returned e-cigarettes and their components from customers.
Inventory management or inventory handling
Starting from June 1, 2025, companies are prohibited from selling or supplying any disposable e-cigarettes.
Recommendation: Stop purchasing disposable e-cigarette inventory; clear out existing inventory; purchase e-cigarettes that comply with the new regulations.
Remaining inventory: separate disposable e-cigarettes from other products; mark as not for sale; dispose of through registered e-cigarette recycling service.
Additional information
MHRA website: users can check if nicotine-containing e-cigarettes meet reusable standards.
Enforcement responsibility: Companies are required to provide law enforcement officials with any information requested to demonstrate that their products comply with reusable standards.
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