Trading Standards advice ahead of Sunday’s single-use vape sale ban
30/05/2025
It will be illegal to sell or supply disposable vapes from June 1
Trading Standards teams in both Oxfordshire and West Northamptonshire are urging local business owners to avoid getting caught out by the single use vape ban which comes into force on Sunday.
The change in the law makes it illegal for businesses to offer to sell or supply disposable vapes. Its also illegal for businesses to have disposable vapes in their possession for sale or supply, online and in shops. Those who flout the rules could face penalties ranging from a £200 fine to imprisonment.
In Oxfordshire a product amnesty is being offered, with the Trading Standards team heading to the Kassam Stadium in Oxford next Thursday where business owners can hand in all unsold products. Those unable to attend that session can arrange an appointment to drop off products at Trading Standards’ offices in Oxford.
Residents can report those breaking the law so appropriate enforcement action can be taken.
Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Safety, Councillor Jenny Hannaby, said: “From next month it will be illegal for businesses to sell of supply what is commonly known as ‘disposable’ – or single use – vapes. These are products that cannot be refilled or reused.
“When discarded these vapes have been known to leak harmful substances, such as mercury, and microplastics into the surrounding environment, which can poison animals, damage the local eco system, and take hundreds of years to break down. They have also been known to cause fires when not safely disposed of.
“We want to help business owners not get caught out by the new law, and by providing these sessions we hope we can offer people a quick and easy way to return unsold stock, which we can safely dispose of in as environmentally friendly a way as possible.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
