Ban on import and sale of disposable vapes starts at end of January
- From 31 January, importing and selling disposable vapes will be illegal.
- It follows concerns regarding vape use among children and its targeted marketing.
- Dedicated disposal bins will be placed at ports to help proper disposal of disposable vapes.
- Advertising restrictions will come into effect from 31 March.
A ban on the import and sale of disposable vapes will take effect on 31 January.
Legislation, passed by the States in May 2024, has already prohibited the sale of vapes to anyone under the age of 18.
As of 31 January 2026, it will be illegal to import disposable vapes, both through postal services and at ports.
Dedicated disposal bins will be made available at the airport and harbour, allowing passengers to safely discard any disposable vapes before passing through customs.
Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said: “We are pleased to see the introduction of legislation banning disposable vapes, which represents an important step in protecting the health of children and young people.
“This action, alongside the forthcoming restrictions on advertising due to come into force from 31 March 2026, addresses growing concerns about the targeted marketing of vaping products to young people. These measures will help reduce the appeal and accessibility of vapes to children and support our wider efforts to create a healthier environment for children and young people.”
Additionally, Deputy Dr George Oswald, Health & Social Care President, said, “While vapes can be a useful tool to help adults give up smoking, their targeted marketing to children through packaging and flavouring of products is concerning. We hope that implementing these regulatory measures marks a major step in reducing their visibility and availability to children.”
A formal licensing scheme for vape sellers, mirroring that of tobacco product regulations, will also be initiated at the end of March.
For further details, vape retailers may consult the licensing scheme information available on the States' Tobacco and Vaping webpage.
All types of vapes can be recycled at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre.
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