Prepare in advance for 1 June cut-off
STORES across the UK are being urged to deplete their stocks of single-use vapes ahead of the introduction of the disposable vape ban on 1 June.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has highlighted the urgency to ensure no disposable vapes are left on the shelf or in stock by the cut-off date as any left after 1 June will need to be disposed of safely.
Mary Creagh MP, waste minister at DEFRA, said: “For too long, single-use vapes have littered out streets, wasted valuable resources and harmed wildlife.
“Our ban comes into force in just a few weeks so businesses must play their part by running down stocks and ensuring the remainder are collected for recycling.
“The Government is committed to moving towards a more circular economy, where we use, repair and refill things for longer, to reduce waste.”
For any retailers in Scotland who continue to sell single-use vape devices after 1 June, they could face of up to £5,000 as well as jail-time of up to two years. DEFRA outlined these consequences earlier this year.
Retailers are now being urged to keep shoppers informed on the upcoming ban and highlight to them the alternatives available towards them via rechargeable and refillable options such as the more convenient pod-based options or devices that need to be refilled by hand.
To support this, the Association of Convenience Stores has published an A4 poster for stores to hang up to help inform more shoppers about the incoming ban. This can be accessed via this link.
Ashley Dalton, minister for public health and prevention, said: “Single-use vapes are one of the most wasteful products on our high streets, with 13 being throwna way every second across the UK.
“But this isn’t an environmental crisis – it’s a public health one, too. Single-use vapes, often sweet in flavour, are the product of choice for many young people, drawing a new generation into nicotine addiction.”
