Leicestershire’s Trading Standards team is preparing to enforce new legislation banning the sale and supply of disposable vapes from 1 June. The law applies to all businesses, including online and in-store retailers.
Roughly 400 independent vape sellers across the county have been contacted by Trading Standards to help them prepare for compliance. The clampdown follows rising concerns over youth vaping rates and environmental waste linked to single-use products.
Retailers found selling banned items after the deadline risk unlimited fines or up to two years in prison. They are also legally required to dispose of remaining stock via registered vape recycling services; disposing of them in general waste is prohibited. Only reusable, refillable, or rechargeable vapes will remain legal to sell.
This move comes as national data shows a significant increase in underage vape use, with the percentage of 11-to-15-year-olds using vapes now at nine per cent, triple the figure from three years ago.
Leicestershire businesses seeking compliance support can contact the local Trading Standards office. Residents are also being encouraged to report non-compliant retailers through the council’s reporting platform.
