Electronic Cigarettes: Environment Protection
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in what way he plans to help tackle the environmental impact of vapes.
Answered by Mary Creagh
On 1 June 2025 we banned the sale and supply of single-use vapes due to the harm that they cause to the environment, with over 5 million of these products being thrown away each week in 2023. This will help to prevent the environmental harms caused by vapes, including littering, the leaching of harmful chemicals into the soil and the risk of fires.
In addition, on the 12th of August we introduced legislation to create a new category under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations specifically for vapes (including reusable vapes). This will ensure that the costs of collection and treatment fall fairly on vape producers.
We will continue to monitor the impact of these changes to ensure that they have the desired positive environmental impact and will not hesitate to act further to tackle the environmental impact of vapes if needed.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →