Vape legislation and guidance

From 1 June 2025, new legislation banning the sale of single-use vapes comes into effect.

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 prohibits the sale of single-use vapes.

Your responsibilities

From 1 June 2025, any stock of single-use vapes you have left over needs to be removed from sale, boxed up and sealed, and clearly labelled for destruction. 

You must ensure your staff are trained in the new legislation and that you only purchase legal stock from reputable wholesalers who provide detailed invoices clearly identifying the products purchased.  

Inspection visits

Our Trading Standards officers will be carrying out inspections at premises across the borough. You and your staff must be aware of the information in this guidance and be able to speak with officers about the stock you sell, and the law around vapes.

If a supplier tries to sell you single-use vapes

After 1 June, you must report any suppliers or traders still selling single-use vapes. You can email us at trading.standards@croydon.gov.uk.

Read our guide for more information on how to identify a single-use vape and how to be sure the vapes you purchase for sale in future are re-useable.

Single-use vape ban - guidance and information (PDF, 499KB).

The Business Companion has more information on businesses that manufacture, import or sell vapes and associated products.

Reusable vapes

Reusable vapes will still be subject to wider regulatory restrictions. Vapes on the market must follow relevant regulations, including:

You will be committing offences under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 if you stock vapes that have not been notified to the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Recycling vapes

Vapes are electrical items, whether they are single-use or reuseable, which means they are covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.

If you sell vapes (described as being a ‘distributor’ in the regulations), you must offer a ‘take back’ service where you accept vapes and vape parts that customers return for recycling including:

  • Used pods
  • Coils
  • Batteries