Ban on sale and supply of single use vapes in NI to be in place by April 2025

Andrew Muir is to bring in the ban in a bid to stop five million single use vapes being thrown away or littered every week across the UK.

The prohibition of the sale of single use vapes will bring Northern Ireland in the with the rest of the UK.

The Department for Environment said the move recognises the strong support from the Northern Ireland public for a ban on single use vapes in response to the UK wide consultation on ‘Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping’.

Mr Muir said the environmental damage created by “the alarming rise in the littering and incorrect disposal” of used vapes is a key concern.

“It's estimated that as many as five million single use vapes are simply thrown away in residual bins or littered every week across the UK, rather than being recycled,” he said.

“Single use vape waste introduces plastic, nicotine salts, metals and lithium-ion batteries into the environment and can have a devastating impact on our environment and biodiversity.”

A single use vapes working group has been formed between Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.

Under current plans, each nation will progress its own legislation and have agreed to work towards a joint coming into force date of April 1, 2025.

“Whilst timelines are extremely ambitious, my department is working at pace to progress this piece of work,” added Mr Muir.

“I also welcome the collaborative engagement between Government officials across the UK to address single use vape issues.

“Alignment of approaches will deliver shared health and environmental benefits and will help provide clarity for businesses which are currently selling single use vaping products.”

Welcoming the incoming ban, head of Asthma + Lung UK NI Joseph Carter, said: “We are delighted that the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, will ban the sale and supply of single use vapes in Northern Ireland by April 2025.

"Single use vapes are increasingly visible in our schools, hooking our children on nicotine and littering our streets.

“This year we surveyed 1,000 people in Northern Ireland and over 80% said they are concerned about children and young people vaping with no history of smoking and the use of vapes in schools. Today’s announcement is a huge win for children’s lung health.

"If you’re a smoker and you want to quit tobacco, vaping can be a helpful way to give up smoking.

"But for children and those who don’t smoke, starting to vape isn’t a good idea, especially if you have a lung condition.”