DISPOSABLE VAPES SALE BAN COMES INTO FORCE

DISPOSABLE vapes are banned from the shelves of all shops from today in a bid to cut their use among young people as well as the "avalanche" of litter they create.

- JOSIE CLARKE

The crackdown on the devices, also known as single-use vapes, makes it illegal for any retailer ranging from corner shops to supermarkets - to sell them.

The ban applies to both online and in-store sales across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and all disposable vapes whether or not they contain nicotine.

Retailers are still allowed to sell reusable vapes.

It follows the soaring use of disposable vapes in schools and a flood of plastic rubbish.

Disposable vapes are non-refillable and unable to be recharged, and are typically thrown away with general waste in black bins or littered rather than recycled.

Even when they are recycled, they need to be taken apart by hand, while their batteries are a fire risk to recycling facilities and can leak harmful chemicals into the environment.

Rogue traders who continue to sell them risk a fine of £200 in the first instance, followed by an unlimited fine or jail time for repeat offending.