Ever since the ban on single use vapes was first announced in 2024 there has been confusion around what is actually being banned and when.
Following updated guidance from the government at the end of January 2025 we can clear up which products will be affected, as well as making some recommendations for what are the best alternatives to disposable vapes.
When Will The Disposable Vape Ban Take Place?
From 1 June 2025, it will become illegal for businesses in the UK to sell, offer for sale, or possess for sale any single-use or disposable vapes. This ban applies across all sales channels, including online and in-store, and covers all disposable vapes, regardless of whether they contain nicotine. However, reusable vapes, those designed to be recharged and refilled, will remain legal to sell.
Why Are Single Use Vapes Being Banned?
The decision to ban single-use vapes reflects their significant environmental impact. These products are an inefficient use of valuable resources and often end up as litter, polluting streets, rivers, and natural habitats. When disposed of improperly, they can also contribute to landfill waste, release harmful substances, and even cause fires, posing risks to waste workers and public safety. By banning their sale and supply, the UK government aims to reduce environmental damage and promote sustainable alternatives for vaping.
What Defines A Reusable Vape?
Under the new regulations, for a vape to be considered reusable, it must be both rechargeable and refillable. This means:
- It must have a rechargeable battery.
- It must allow the user to refill it with e-liquid or replace its pre-filled pods.
- The coil (the part responsible for heating the liquid to produce vapour) must be replaceable by the user. This can either be a direct coil replacement or as part of a replacement pod which includes built-in coil pods.
- If it uses a pre-filled pod or refill, then these must be available to buy separately from the main vape device.
Products that fail to meet these criteria - such as those with non-rechargeable batteries, non-refillable pods, or coils that cannot be replaced - will fall under the single-use category and will no longer be permitted for sale.
So, Which Disposables Will Be Banned?
All standard disposable vapes, or as they are sometimes known 600-puff disposables will be banned as they are neither rechargeable nor refillable.
The most popular examples of standard disposables that will be banned include:
What about Big Puff Vapes?
Recently we have seen a number of brands release big puff Big puff vapes which include a refill bottle that can hold up to 10ml of e-liquid or a number of refill pods and which clip or slot in to the main device giving you up to 12ml of e-liquid. Generally these devices can be split into 2 categories. Devices where you can separate the additional pods after use and replace them and devices that do not have replaceable pods / bottles. Any devices that fall into the 2nd category where you cannot replace the pods will be banned under the new guidance, despite them being rechargeable devices.
Examples of the Big Puff devices that will be affected by the ban include:
What Are The Alternatives?
We understand that many of you loved the convenience of disposable vapes thanks to their simplified designs and maintenance-free usage. However, what you may not have realised is that disposable vapes are one of the least cost-friendly options when it comes to vaping. If you wish to carry on your vaping journey, some alternatives will provide the same feel and flavour as disposables but work out much cheaper to maintain in the long run. Here are some of our recommendations for great alternatives to beat the disposable ban broken down by their product type.
Legal Big Puff Vapes
As mentioned above, there are 2 types of big puff vape, disposable big puffs which will be banned and legal big puff vapes which feature pods and refill bottles that can be replaced and that contain the coil for the device inside the pod. These devices fully comply with the new regulations and will still be available to buy. They maintain the simplicity and flavour of a disposable and even better will be cheaper to use in the long run.
A big-puff vape that is staying is the Elf Bar 4in1 Kit. It can provide up to 3200 puffs as it uses four 2ml pods simultaneously letting twist-to-switch between flavours. Each Elf Bar 4in1 Pre-filled Pod contains its own coil, complying with the new guidelines.
The Lost Mary Nera packs in features at a great value. A wrap around screen, e-liquid view and dual power modes all combined with replaceable 2ml and 10ml pods. PLus you get 2 sets of pods in the starter pack, giving you 24ml of e-liquid to get you started.
3. IVG Pro
The IVG Pro includes a replaceable 2ml tank and 10ml refill container, giving you up to 10,000 puffs in an extremely simple to use and compact device. This is a great option if you loved the flavours of the IVG 2400 and are looking for a replacement after the ban.
Pre-filled Pod Kits
Pre-filled pod kits pair a rechargeable battery with replaceable pre-filled pods, keeping maintenance low whilst still providing the perfect nicotine hit. With an initial cost that is similar to one or two disposables, long term they work out to be in teh region of half the price of standard disposables when you compare the cost of the replacement pods to that of buying disposables.
If you are a fan of the SKE Crystal Bar Disposables, this one is for you. Maintaining the same style and dimensions, the Crystal Plus Kit offers a rechargeable battery and replaceable pre-filled pods, letting you enjoy the same flavours even after the ban comes into place.
If you love the flavours and size of the Elf Bar 600 disposable then this kit will be perfect for you. The same flavours and the same size with a replaceable pod and an all day rechargeable battery.
Much like the Elfbar option above, if the Lost Mary BM600 is your disposable vape of choice then this will be great for you. THe BM600 Prefilled pod kit offers the 16 most popular flavours from the BM600 range and turns them into easily switchable pods.
Refillable Pod Kits
There are now some fantastic refillable pod kits, that offer a similar size and flavour delivery to single use vapes. They feature rechargeable batteries as well as the option to refill their pods with your own choice of e-liquids. The initial cost can be slightly higher than what you see with pre-filled pod kits however, they are the cheapest to maintain in the long run and give you the choice of thousands of different flavours.
Famed for its reliability and ease of use, the Xros 4 Mini can be an ideal option for those looking for disposable alternatives. This kit is compatible with some of the longest-lasting and most reliable pods - Vaporesso Xros Corex 2.0 Pods. Simply select an e-liquid you wish to use and refill the pod whenever it runs low. With a buttonless design, you can simply pick it up and vape whenever you want and inhale to activate it, just like a disposable vape.
Similar in design to the Xros 4 Mini, the vMate i2 also features inhale activation and a buttonless design for convenient use. Compatible with VooPoo Vmate Top Fill Replacement Pods, it can be refilled with 2ml of e-liquid at a time and the built-in mesh coils guarantee a flavoursome vape every time.
Designed with beginners in mind, this simple yet effective vape kit requires no prior experience with vape kits. Easy to set up, use and maintain, the VYKO One Kit Slim takes the guessing game out of the picture with only one available pod resistance and no customisable features.
If you are interested in upgrading to a more advanced vape kit with adjustable features and a more custom vaping experience, the NeXlim Pod Kit is the choice for you. With a 6-40W power range, adjustable airflow and multiple pod options, you can hone in on a setting that works best for you.