Disposable Vapes Banned in the UK: What You Need to Know


On June 1, 2025, the UK will enforce a ban on single-use disposable vapes. This disposable ban in the UK is part of a broader effort to cut down on environmental waste and curb the growing issue of youth vaping, ensuring that these products are not so easily accessible to young people. From that date, disposable vapes, those designed to be discarded once the e-liquid is finished or the battery is spent, will no longer be available for sale. But don’t worry, if you’re a fan of big puff devices, there are still options. While disposable versions will be off the shelves, rechargeable, refillable big puff devices will remain perfectly legal. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to adapt to the disposable vapes ban, which devices will still be available, and how to switch without missing a beat.
What’s Driving the Disposable Vape Ban
This isn’t just about taking single-use vapes off the shelves. It marks a shift in how the UK approaches vaping, moving away from a throwaway culture and toward more responsible use. Disposable vapes were easy: no buttons, no refilling, no recharging. But that simplicity came with serious downsides: a surge in underage use, piles of waste, and a sense that vaping didn’t come with consequences. Retailers now have a clear deadline to clear stock or face penalties. And there’s more ahead. From October 2026, a new tax will apply to all e-liquids—£2.20 per 10m -raising prices across the board. The message is clear: convenience alone isn’t enough anymore. For those who want to keep vaping, it’s time to look at longer-lasting alternatives. And in this article, we’ll help you understand what’s changing—and what to do next.
From TPD to the June 2025 UK Disposable Vape Ban

The UK’s regulatory relationship with vaping began in earnest with the adoption of the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in 2016—carried over post-Brexit as the TRPR (Tobacco and Related Products Regulations). It brought order to a fast-growing industry, capping nicotine strength at 20mg/ml, limiting tank sizes to 2ml, and restricting e-liquids to 10ml bottles. These were technical fixes but also sparked a wave of product innovation. Then came disposable vapes, devices that managed to slip neatly within the TPD’s limits while raising entirely different concerns. Their simplicity and low price made them wildly popular, especially among underage users. Their short life span made it impossible for them to ignore the environment. This tension between compliance and consequence led to the government’s decision to have disposable vapes banned.
Legal Alternatives After the Disposable Vape Ban
Big puff vapes have emerged as a clever response to the growing concerns around the limitations and waste of disposables, offering a longer-lasting alternative for vapers without breaching the rules. Instead of sticking to the standard two-millilitre pod limit, manufacturers introduced 10ml e-liquid bottles that could be refilled into the smaller tanks, allowing for more puffs between refills. Others combined multiple prefilled two-millimetre containers in one system, keeping it within the legal limits while providing more longevity. To complement this extended usage, these products featured larger or rechargeable batteries. While many big puff vaporisers are still disposable and face the June 2025 restriction, many others still remain legal, offering a more sustainable choice for vapers looking to transition away from the single-use model.
The Hayati Pro Max Plus 6000 is a solid choice for those looking to stay compliant after the disposable vape ban. With its rechargeable design and replaceable prefilled pods, it's built to be reusable and regulation-friendly without compromising on convenience or performance.
- Up to 6000 puffs
- 850mAh rechargeable battery
- USB-C fast charging
- Replaceable prefilled pods
- 20mg/ml Nic Salt e-liquid
- Leak-proof design
- Mesh coil technology for smooth, consistent draws
- Wide range of flavours available
- Compact and ergonomic design
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Compliance with the Disposable Vape Ban in the UK

You can’t recharge or refill a typical disposable vape—once it’s out of e-liquid or battery, it’s meant to be tossed. However, many big puff vapes will still meet the criteria after June. Unlike their disposable counterparts, these devices allow you to keep using them with simple pod replacements. The pods are designed to be swapped out easily, so you don’t have to throw away the entire setup. The manufacturers now offer refillable containers, allowing you to keep the same e-cigarette and swap out the pods when needed.
For a big puff vape to stay legal, it should meet these criteria:
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Rechargeable Battery: The device needs to be rechargeable, meaning it can be used multiple times.
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Pod Capacity: The pod (refillable or pre-filled) must not exceed the 2ml capacity limit set by regulations. Refillable containers can be topped up, while pre-filled ones can be swapped out for a new one.
- Replaceable Pods or Coils: To ensure the device lasts, it must allow for either replacing the coil or swapping out the pod.
Legal Big Puff Vapes After the Disposable Vape Ban in the UK Date

Post the first of June 2025, if you’ve got a Big Puff that’s being phased out, don’t stress; we’ve curated a list of reusable alternatives to keep you going. Brands like Lost Mary, Hayati, IVG, Vaporesso, and Elf Bar are setting the standard with their innovative reusable offerings. These kits are designed with replaceable parts and rechargeable batteries, offering similar performance and even more puffs than their short-lived counterparts.
Big Puff
Why It Will Stay Legal
Replacement Pods Availability
Features a creative design where you can insert a new e-liquid container and reuse the removable battery.
A replacement e-liquid container allows for continued use.
This system combines a 2ml pod with a 10ml refill container, allowing you to replace the whole unit (pod + refill container) with a new one when the e-liquid runs out.
The entire unit, which includes the pod and refill, can be purchased when needed.
Boasts an auto-refill design with 2 1ml pods and 2 5ml refill containers. When the e-liquid runs out, simply replace them with a fresh setup, keeping the same battery.
Replaceable pods allow you to reuse the device.
The device includes two separate pods, which can be swapped with new ones once the puff juice runs out.
Replacement pods+refill containers will be available for swapping.
This kit has 2 integrated 2ml cartridges, with 10ml refills each, providing a total of 24ml of e-liquid in one unit. Once the e-liquid in a pod runs out, you can easily replace it.
The full unit, including both the pods and refills, is available for replacement.
Features a 2ml prefilled pod with a 10ml refill container, allowing for pod replacement once the e-juice is used.
Replacement pods will be available soon to ensure continued use.
What Falls Under the UK Disposable Ban?
With the restrictions fast approaching, a frequent point of confusion is whether nicotine-free vapes are included in the ban. The answer is yes—they are. The legislation doesn’t distinguish between nicotine and non-nicotine versions when it comes to non-rechargeable and non-refillable vaping devices. If it is designed to be used once and thrown away, it will no longer be permitted, even if it contains 0mg of nicotine. This reflects the government’s broader concern about youth appeal and environmental impact, rather than just the presence of nicotine.
On the other hand, rechargeable vapes aren’t automatically safe from restrictions. Simply being rechargeable isn’t enough; the vaporiser must also feature refillable tanks or replaceable pods to be considered compliant. And they must still comply with certain requirements of the TRPR, such as the limit on tank capacity and the nicotine strength limit.
What’s Next for Vapers?
With disposable vapes banned, many vapers will need to make the switch to reusable options. If you’re someone who swears by the convenience and longevity of big puffs, there are already alternatives available that provide similar, if not better, performance. These reusable products come with replaceable tanks, rechargeable batteries, and in some cases, even replaceable coils, ensuring a longer-lasting solution without sacrificing the satisfaction you’re used to. If your current big puff is on the way out, don’t worry—we’ve got a range of quality alternatives that’ll keep you going strong.
FAQs
Which vapes are illegal in the UK?
As of June 1, 2025, expirable electronic cigarettes that are not designed to be refilled or reused will be illegal in the UK. This includes any vape pen that is designed to be used once, thrown away, and cannot be refilled or recharged.
Will I still be able to buy disposable vapes online?
No, once the legislation takes effect in June 2025, the sale of one-time-use puff bars will be prohibited both online and in physical stores. You’ll find that there are plenty of high-capacity reusable options available as replacements that offer similar performance but with better longevity and less waste.
When are disposable vapes getting banned in the UK?
The prohibition on non-rechargeable and non-refillable e-cigs in the UK is set for June 1, 2025. This will mark the point at which all single-use models, those that cannot be refilled or recharged, will be removed from the market. Manufacturers and retailers will have until this date to clear out their stock, after which these products will no longer be legally sold.
Are disposable vapes being banned in the UK?
Yes, single-use devices are being outlawed in the UK as part of the government's push to reduce environmental waste and curb underage vaping. This move reflects a growing concern over the environmental impact of these products, many of which end up in landfills, as well as their popularity among younger users.
What does the disposable vape ban cover?
This restriction covers any vaping product that is designed for one time use, meaning the e-liquid is consumed and the whole thing is discarded once it’s empty or the battery is dead. These products, including popular throwaway models, are often convenient but create significant environmental issues, especially considering the growing number of users.
What are the best alternatives to disposable vapes?
If you’re looking for alternatives to throwaway e-cigarettes, there are a number of options like big puff vapes that will not only be compliant with the new rules but also offer long-term savings. Some popular alternatives include the Air 4 in 1 Pod Kit or the Blast 6000 Pod Kit, which are all designed to be reusable. These kits typically feature larger battery capacities and the ability to swap out pods, which helps ensure that you’re not locked into a one-time-use product.