Councillor Tim Weller, Green Party cabinet member for environment and well-being, said:
“I’m delighted to learn that the government heard our Council’s response to its consultation last October on young people’s health and vaping. I wholeheartedly welcome its decision to ban the sale of disposable vapes from June 2025.
“It was concerning to learn earlier this month that in the UK a million non-smokers had taken up vaping. There are obvious health benefits to reducing access to cheap – and more hazardous, often counterfeit – single use vapes.
“Suffolk Public Health partners promote use of vapes only as a means of reducing reliance on tobacco, which continues to be the leading cause of preventable death globally. “
Councillor Colin Lay, who champions Stowmarket at the District and Town councils, added:
“In 2023, the staggering sale of 7.7 million disposable vapes each week revealed a troubling pattern, as around 5 million of these devices found their way to waste each week, with many being discarded on our streets. This alarming statistic underscores the fundamentally unsustainable nature of disposable vapes, making a government-enforced ban not just welcome but essential.”
“But the hazards posed by tiny lithium batteries also mustn’t be overlooked. Our staff and waste handling premises are exposed to significant dangers during collection processes from bin lorries through to recycling facilities. This has culminated in hazardous incidents such as the recent fires at the Sackers site in Claydon.”
- Vapes are not recyclable other than in dedicated battery disposal containers at recycle centres and shops
- Single use vapes contribute to litter clinging to our streets and parks
- All retailers who sell vapes now have a legal duty to take back used ones
- Vibrant colours and enticing flavours are specifically designed to attract children,
- Existing laws prohibit the sale of disposable vapes to underage users
- Increase in usage among minors demonstrates those regulations are insufficient
Councillor Lay concluded:
“In light of these pressing issues — from environmental degradation to public health concerns — an outright ban on disposable vapes emerges as the most effective solution for addressing this complex problem we face today. This situation underscores a critical oversight by the government in addressing the fundamental causes behind underage vaping effectively. Currently imposed penalties—such as on-the-spot fines of £100 and maximum fines reaching £2500 for retailers caught selling tobacco or vape products to children—appear inadequate in establishing meaningful deterrence or fostering compliance within the market. Thus, it is imperative that more robust measures are employed to mitigate this growing concern effectively.”
“An essential subsequent measure would be the establishment of stringent product safety standards for the rechargeable vape sector, ensuring that individuals do not resort to inexpensive, unregulated alternatives from the global market in response to the absence of single-use vapes”