The Isle of Wight Council is reminding local businesses and consumers that, from tomorrow (Sunday 1st June), the sale and purchase of single-use vapes will be banned under new legislation.
This ban applies to all single-use vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not, and includes online sales and in-store purchases.
Local businesses are urged to cease the sale of these products immediately. Any business found selling single-use vapes after the ban takes effect must dispose of them safely or risk enforcement action.
To help ensure compliance, Trading Standards has contacted retailers directly to outline their responsibilities and provide guidance on the new rules.
To be compliant with the new law, businesses should:
- Not purchase any new stock of single use vapes;
- Sell all existing stock before 1 June;
- Only buy vapes that comply with the new Regulations (noting that they must also comply with existing vaping products regulations);
- Train staff on the specifics of the ban.
The new requirements will mean that vapes being sold from 1 June must be rechargeable, refillable with e-liquid and have a replaceable coil.
The law is part of the government’s plan to tackle waste and pollution caused by disposable vapes and combat the rise in youth vaping.
Many single use vapes contain plastic parts and lithium batteries. These are often thrown away incorrectly or littered. This can lead to fire risks for waste collection services, and pollution issues for wildlife and the environment.
How to recycle vapes safely:
- Do not throw vapes in a regular bin. They contain batteries and electronics.
- Use dedicated e-waste recycling bins, found at both Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), large supermarkets or vape retailers.
- At your HRC booking, notify the meet and greet staff that you wish to dispose of vapes. They will either direct you to the dedicated vape disposal bins or take them from you to recycle.
- Return your used vape from the retailer you purchased it from. Retailers that sell vapes are required to accept vape returns for recycling under existing waste regulations.
- DO NOT attempt to take apart the vape yourself for recycling.
If you’re thinking about quitting vaping, now is the perfect time to take that step. The council’s dedicated quit smoking service – Smokefree Island – is here to support you every step of the way.
The free local support includes nicotine patches, gum, lozenges or spray to help you quit. The friendly, non-judgmental advice can help you get started immediately.
Further information on the ban for businesses: Single-use vapes ban: what businesses need to do – GOV.UK. For further business advice, contact [email protected]
Makes one wonder who will Police it.
We can’t seem to stop persons speeding, parking
on Pavements or on Double Yellow Lines
Station Gardens, Brading and outside Sandown pier
is proof of that!
Also the amount of persons driving whilst using
mobile phones.
Everywhere you go on the island you see
Adults and children sucking on their plastic
dummies (they look like highlighter pens)
Best to round up the vapes from the shops
selling them.
Laws are great, but we need persons policing them.