Fife Council Trading Standards backs single-use vapes ban

Fife Council Trading Standards is reminding businesses and shops that from 1 June 2025, the sale and supply of single-use vapes are banned across the UK.

This aims to curb the significant environmental harm caused by disposable vaping products, which are often discarded as litter or thrown into non-recyclable waste.

What’s changing?
From 1 June 2025, retailers — including both physical shops and online sellers — must cease all sales and supply of single-use vapes. Stock must be sold or safely disposed of before this deadline.

The regulations define a single-use vape as any vaping device that:

  • Is not designed or intended to be reused
  • May be refillable but not rechargeable
  • May be rechargeable but not refillable
  • Contains non-replaceable coils

Dawn Adamson, Fife Council Trading Standards Service Manager, said: “Fife Council welcomes the single-use vape ban, which includes the supply of single-use vape products across Scotland. Protecting children from the harm that vaping can cause is incredibly important, and this is a vital step towards addressing the litter caused by these products.  This measure aims to tackle the environmental, health and fire-risk impacts of single-use vapes, and put an end to the brightly coloured and flavoured disposable vapes that can appeal to children and young people.

“Businesses are urged to ensure that they comply with the new legislation and residents encouraged to report any stores they see selling the banned vapes.”  

What retailers must do
Retailers are urged to act now to prepare for the ban:

From 1 June 2025

  • Stop selling all single-use vapes immediately
  • Separate and label remaining stock as ‘not for sale’
  • Recycle through a registered vape recycling service

Penalties for Non-Compliance
From the enforcement date, it is a criminal offence to supply or possess single-use vapes for supply. Penalties include:

  • A £200 fixed penalty notice for the first offence
  • Unlimited fines or up to two years in prison for repeated violations
  • Seizure of non-compliant products by Trading Standards Officers