When the ban was introduced on 1 June 2025, its goals were clear. The government wanted to reduce environmental waste, tackle concerns around youth vaping and encourage a move away from single-use products. Supporters viewed it as a necessary step towards a more sustainable vaping market, while critics questioned whether it would inconvenience adult vapers and potentially drive some people back to smoking.

Twelve months later, new figures published by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggest the ban has had a significant impact on disposable vape use among both adults and young people. However, the data also highlights ongoing challenges around recycling, enforcement and public awareness.

The findings paint an interesting picture. Disposable vape use has fallen sharply, particularly among younger users, and many adult vapers appear to have successfully switched to rechargeable alternatives. At the same time, millions of vape devices and pods are still being discarded every week, raising questions about recycling infrastructure and long-term environmental impact.

So, one year on, has the disposable vape ban actually worked?

The disposable vape ban came into force across the UK on 1 June 2025 under single-use plastics legislation. The policy prohibited the sale of single-use vape devices that could not be recharged and reused. While environmental concerns were a major factor behind the decision, growing concern about youth vaping also played a significant role.

Prior to the ban, disposable vapes had become the dominant product among younger vape users due to their low upfront cost, colourful designs and widespread availability. At the same time, millions of devices containing lithium batteries were being discarded every week, creating concerns about waste, recycling and fire risks.

The vaping market responded quickly. Manufacturers shifted towards rechargeable alternatives, including prefilled pod kits, refill pods and compact vape kits that offer a similar experience while generating significantly less waste.

The latest survey data from ASH and YouGov provides the clearest indication yet that the ban has had a measurable impact. According to the latest figures, only 13% of 11-17 year olds who vape now mainly use disposable products. That figure has fallen dramatically from 42% immediately before the ban and is substantially lower than the 69% peak recorded in 2023.

These figures suggest that disposable products are no longer the dominant choice among young people who vape, representing one of the clearest indicators that the legislation has influenced consumer behaviour.


The trend is equally noticeable among adults. Just 8% of adult vapers now report mainly using disposable products, compared with 24% before the ban and 31% at the height of disposable popularity. Taken together, these figures suggest that the ban has significantly reduced disposable vape use across all age groups, not just among younger users.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the ban was whether consumers would simply stop vaping altogether or move towards alternative products. So far, the evidence points strongly towards adaptation rather than abandonment.

The growth of rechargeable vaping products has accelerated over the past year, with many former disposable users switching to prefilled pod kits and rechargeable vape kits that offer familiar flavours and simple operation without the waste associated with single-use products.

Brands that previously built their reputation on disposables have successfully transitioned to reusable formats. Vape kits from Elf Bar, Lost Mary, Hayati, SKE Crystal and IVG now offer thousands of puffs through rechargeable devices paired with replaceable prefilled pods.

For many adult vapers, the switch has been relatively straightforward. Modern pod kits maintain the convenience, nicotine satisfaction and flavour quality that made disposables popular, while providing better long-term value.

Before the ban came into force, one of the most common concerns was that adult smokers who relied on disposable vapes might return to cigarettes if their preferred products disappeared from shelves. The latest data provides a mixed but largely positive picture.

Among people who mainly used disposable vapes before the ban:

●    70% reported that the change had no impact on their smoking behaviour.
●    13% reported that they smoked more after the ban was introduced.

While the majority appear to have adapted successfully, the fact that some former disposable users increased their cigarette consumption highlights the importance of maintaining accessible alternatives for adult smokers.

As vaping regulations continue to evolve, ensuring that smokers can still access effective alternatives to combustible tobacco will remain an important public health consideration.

While disposable vape use has fallen significantly, environmental concerns have not disappeared.

Separate research from Material Focus, highlighted by Sky News, found that approximately 6.3 million vapes and pods were still being discarded every week during the last year. Although this is an improvement compared with the 8.2 million devices discarded weekly in 2024, it demonstrates that substantial waste challenges remain.

The research also revealed significant gaps in public awareness:

These figures suggest that while consumers may be moving towards rechargeable products, many still do not know where or how to dispose of them correctly. This is particularly important because lithium-ion batteries can cause fires when discarded in general waste streams, creating risks for waste management facilities and local authorities.

From our perspective, the biggest change over the last 12 months has been the rapid adoption of rechargeable alternatives. Many customers who previously relied on disposable vapes have moved towards prefilled pod kits that deliver a similar experience while offering significantly better value over time. The transition has been helped by the fact that modern rechargeable devices are simpler, more compact and easier to use than many earlier vaping products.

We've also seen growing demand for devices that combine rechargeable batteries with replaceable pods, particularly among former disposable users who want familiar flavours and straightforward operation. Brands have responded quickly, with products from Elf Bar, Lost Mary, Hayati, SKE and IVG now offering the convenience many vapers expect without the limitations of single-use devices.

The challenge moving forward is likely to be less about convincing people to move away from disposables and more about helping them recycle products correctly and understand the options available to them. The first year of the ban suggests that many vapers are willing to adapt when practical alternatives exist, which is encouraging for both consumers and the wider industry.

Based on the first year of available data, the answer appears to be largely yes.

The ban has coincided with a substantial reduction in disposable vape use among both adults and young people. It has also accelerated the shift towards rechargeable alternatives that generate less waste and offer better long-term value.

However, the picture is not entirely straightforward.

Millions of vaping products are still being discarded every week, recycling awareness remains low, and a small proportion of former disposable users report smoking more following the ban. Enforcement, education and responsible disposal will continue to play an important role if the government wants to build on the progress made so far.

Perhaps the most important takeaway is that the vaping market has shown a remarkable ability to adapt. Rather than disappearing, many adult vapers have simply moved towards rechargeable products that provide a similar experience in a more sustainable format.

While there is still work to do around recycling and responsible disposal, the first year of the ban suggests that consumers, manufacturers and retailers have adapted more successfully than many expected.