Key Takeaways
- City of York Council is considering fines of up to GBP 200.00 (approximately USD 260.00) for traders caught selling illegal single-use vapes.
- Under the proposals, selling more than 20 illegal vapes would be treated as an aggravating factor and could lead to formal cautions or prosecution.
- If approved on April 14, council trading standards officers would enforce the measures and issue fines.
- The UK ban on single-use vape sales came into force in 2025, making it illegal to sell or supply vapes that cannot be recharged or refilled.
- A York council report said manufacturers had redesigned products to comply with the rules while selling them at the same price, limiting the effect on consumer behaviour.
2Firsts, April 9, 2026
According to BBC, City of York Council is considering new plans under which traders caught selling illegal single-use vapes could be fined up to GBP 200.00 (approximately USD 260.00).
York plans direct fines for illegal single-use vape sales
Under the proposals, traders found selling illegal single-use vapes could face fines of up to GBP 200.00. If the plans are approved at a meeting on April 14, council trading standards officers would be responsible for enforcing the measures and would have the power to issue fines.
The proposals also state that businesses found selling more than 20 illegal vapes could be formally cautioned or prosecuted. In lower-volume cases, traders could instead receive compliance notices legally requiring them to stop selling the products.
Selling more than 20 illegal vapes would count as an aggravating factor
The report said that being found selling more than 20 illegal vapes would be treated as an aggravating factor and could expose traders to prosecution. Council officers could also seek to recover costs if additional enforcement action is taken.
In addition, the proposals would allow the authority to issue stop notices to traders who fail to dispose of the items properly.
York says the plans are linked to reducing environmental impact
The ban on the sale of single-use vapes came into force in 2025. Under the existing rules, vapes that cannot be recharged or refilled cannot legally be sold or supplied by shops, manufacturers, wholesalers, or health and stop smoking services.
A City of York Council report said the proposals are being considered as part of efforts to reduce the environmental impact of single-use vapes. However, the report added that vape manufacturers have redesigned products to comply with the rules while continuing to sell them at the same price, limiting the impact of the ban on consumer behaviour.
The report also noted that the UK government said last year that the crackdown was intended to stop the rise of single-use vapes in schools and prevent them from littering streets.
James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said the industry had been preparing for the ban and would work with local trading standards officers to tackle illegal sales.
The report added that laws which came into force last year also require traders to provide facilities for vape recycling, although that part will not be enforced by the council.
Image Source: BBC
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