Single-use vapes will no longer be stocked or sold in Scotland under new legislation which came into force across the whole of the UK on Sunday 1 June.

An estimated 26 million disposable vapes were thrown away in Scotland in 2023. Of these, more than half were not recycled properly and around 10% were littered. The batteries used within disposable vapes are difficult to recycle, leak harmful waste and can cause fires in waste facilities.

It is now illegal for businesses to sell or supply single-use vapes. It is also illegal to offer to sell or supply single-use vapes, or to stock single-use vapes that you plan to sell or supply. Single-use vapes are also known as disposable vapes.

The ban applies to: 

• all vapes whether or not they contain nicotine 
• sales online and in shops 

Vapes which are reusable can continue to be sold.

Local authorities in Scotland lead on enforcing the ban. They report criminal cases to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, who are responsible for prosecuting offences under the regulations.

Data collected by Keep Scotland Beautiful highlighted that single-use vapes were the fastest growing litter type in 2024/25, and with half of people in Scotland saying sightings of the products have become more common in the past 12 months, we know that a ban will help reverse this trend.  

Source to Sea litter surveys carried out by Marine Conservation Society volunteers in streets, parks and beaches revealed an increase in prevalence of vapes from being recorded on 46% of surveys in Scotland in 2023 to almost all – 85% – of surveys carried out in 2024. 

Barry Fisher, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said:

“We first became aware of the impact single-use vapes were having on our environment back in 2022 when members of the public and our volunteers were noticing them more often and asked what could be done. 

“I’m proud of the effort we have made, alongside our partners, to see this product banned in Scotland – it shows what true collaboration can achieve. 

“Our surveys and supporters have made it clear that this product was becoming more and more common, spoiling our environment and causing danger to wildlife.  

“We are dealing with a litter emergency and the last thing we need is single-use products coming to market that can end up discarded harming our environment. This ban will help remove the fastest growing litter item from our streets, parks and beaches and is a welcome step in the right direction, but everyone must dispose of their waste in the correct way.” 

Enforcement officers can issue a fixed penalty notice instead of criminal prosecution. The fixed penalty amount is £200 for a first offence. This is discounted to £150 if paid within 14 days. 

Maximum penalties for offences in Scotland

If found guilty of stocking or supplying a single-use vape (or offering to):

• on summary conviction, a fine of up to level 5 (currently £5,000) on the standard scale 
• on conviction on indictment, up to 2 years in prison or a fine, or both

The ban came into force on the same day across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  

Laura Young, Environmental Scientist and Campaigner, said:

“This ban is a landmark moment in the fight against wasteful, polluting products that never should have become mainstream in the first place. Single-use vapes are a symptom of our throwaway, convenience-driven culture, producing devices which are harmful to the environment and hazardous to our health.  

“I’m proud to have played a part in campaigning for this change, but we must now look beyond vapes and tackle the wider issue of disposable electronics and the continual evolution of the tobacco industry’s tactics to hook the next generation. We must shift towards a circular economy where we design for reuse, repair and refill, and not for the bin. Scotland, and the UK have shown leadership through this ban. Now it’s time for industries to step up and follow through.” 

---