Full list of supermarket vape rules explained as single-use e-cigs set to be banned
SINGLE use vape are set to be banned across the UK – but some supermarkets already don’t stock the e-cigs.
New laws will prohibit the sale of the tobacco products from June 1, 2025, to protect kids’ health.
The Labour Government’s crackdown on single use vapes plans to put a stop on plastic littering after five million were thrown away in 2023.
Retailers will still be able to sell refillable vapes as doctors use them to help people quit smoking.
However, despite the Government’s latest intervention, some supermarkets already don’t sell certain vapes due to company policy. Some still do for now though.
A number of supermarkets banned Elf Bar 600s last year when they were found to contain 50% more nicotine than the legal limit.
Below we explain the rules on selling vapes and which supermarkets have already removed the devices from shelves.
Aldi
Aldi does not sell refillable or disposable vapes in its more than 1,020 stores across the UK.
The retailer does not sell tobacco either.
Waitrose
Waitrose has never sold single-use e-cigs although it does currently stock refillable vapes.
A spokesperson for Waitrose said: “We absolutely support the Government’s ban.
“We look forward to finally seeing collective action to help protect young people and prevent unnecessary and dangerous waste going to landfill.”
M&S
M&S does not sell either single-use or refillable vapes in any of its branches.
The posh retailer also does not sell any form of tobacco.
Lidl
Lidl does not sell any form of vape in its branches, be it refillable or single-use.
The German discounter also does not sell tobacco.
Co-op
Co-op currently sells a variety of disposable vapes on its website from a range of brands including Vuse, Cirro and Elfbar.
It is understood it has a policy in place which restricts the sale of vape products and flavours that appeal to younger shoppers and has a challenge 25 policy in place as well.
This implores staff to ask anyone they think looks under 25 for ID when buying an age-restricted product.
The retailer declined to comment on whether it would implement a ban on any vapes ahead of the legal requirement from next June.
Tesco
Tesco also sells a variety of vapes on its website across a range of brands from Lost Mary to SKE.
The retailer pointed The Sun toward the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) response on whether it will be banning vapes ahead of next June.
The BRC said: “Retailers will continue to comply with requirements surrounding the sale and disposal of vapes.
“We ask that the Government ensures that retailers are given sufficient information to prepare for the upcoming ban on disposable vapes in the UK.”
What are the rules for selling vapes?
In the UK, it is illegal to sell vaping products to anyone under the age of 18.
Laws also cover the ingredients, strength of nicotine and capacity of tanks:
- The maximum nicotine strength should 20mg/ml
- E-liquid bottles should be no larger than 10ml
- Vape tanks have a capacity of no more than 2ml
- Products containing nicotine must carry health warnings
- There must be a leak-proof refilling mechanism
- Manufacturers must provide testing and toxicological data
- Advertising must comply with restrictions
How to make sure you’re buying legal vapes
- Check for authenticity
- Look for well-known brands
- Be wary of unusually low prices
- Ask the retailer to provide proof of Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) compliance
- Stay informed with the latest regulations and safety guidelines
Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s sells TEREA, Edge and blu vapes on its website.
The retailer also pointed The Sun toward’s the BRC’s response when asked whether it would be banning vapes in the immediate future.
Morrisons
Morrisons stocks a range of vapes from Blu Bar, Vuse, Elf Bar and Ivg.
A spokesperson for the supermarket said it had no bans in place on the sale of vapes and didn’t have any plans to bring any in in the immediate future.
Asda
Asda shoppers can get Blu bar, 88Vape and Lost Mary vapes on the retailer’s website.
The supermarket did not respond to a request for comment when asked by The Sun if it has plans to bring in bans on any vapes in the immediate future.
Iceland
Iceland also has a host of vapes on its website on sale. Shoppers can pick up 88Vapes, Lost Mary’s and Zillion brands.
The retailer did not respond to a request for comment by The Sun on whether it would ban the e-cigs earlier.
Why does the Government want to ban vapes?
A disposable vape sells for £3-£10 depending on the brand, with the total e-cig industry worth an estimated £2.8billion in Britain.
But more than 40 tonnes of lithium, used in the batteries to power the vapes, was thrown out in the UK in 2022.
Fears have also been raised by ministers that youngsters are illegally buying and getting hooked on disposables.
Health Minister Andrew Gwynne said: “It’s deeply worrying that a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds used a vape last year.
“We know disposables are the product of choice for the majority of kids vaping today.
“Banning them will keep them out of the hands of vulnerable young people.”
Environment Minister Mary Creagh added: “Single-use vapes waste precious resources and blight our towns, parks and cities.
“That is why we will be banning single-use vapes as we take action to end our throwaway culture.”
Last year, a number of supermarkets banned the sale of Elf Bar 600 disposable vapes over health fears.
A report by the Daily Mail found they contained between 3ml and 3.2ml of nicotine e-liquid, with the legal limit 2ml.
An Elf Bar spokesperson told the Daily Mail that some batches of the e-cigs had been “inadvertently” overfilled in the UK.
The Government’s latest crackdown on single-use vapes comes as a part of a wider smoking ban that will stop anyone born after January 2009 allowed to legally buy cigarettes.
What do Sun staff think of the ban?
TWO Sun writers said whether they're in favour or not of next year's single-use vape ban.
Yes, says Grace Macaskill, Sun writer and mother-of-two.
THE minute pupils leave my son’s school at 3.30pm many reach into pockets for a vape.
They are gasping for a hit of nicotine after being targeted by firms marketing flavours such as bubblegum, grape and candy.
Many headteachers here in East Yorkshire have banned toilet time in lessons to stop kids sneaking off for a toke.
One has even gated off the loos.
Statistics show 20 per cent of kids tried a vape last year, up from 14 per cent in 2020.
They might not be as dangerous as cigarettes but still contain nicotine and toxins.
A ban on disposables is good for parents’ peace of mind.
The habit becomes more costly and out of reach of most kids’ pocket money.
Now let’s raise the price of refillables.
No, says Alex Bellotti, Sun writer and vaper.
This ban is a disastrous and typically short-sighted move from the nanny state.
When my smoking spiralled out of control in lockdown, disposable vapes were a godsend.
They don’t leave that shameful stench of tobacco clinging to your clothes, or even send out plumes the size of steam engines like regular e-cigs.
In 2011, there were 77.1million cigarettes a day smoked in England.
This year it is 45.5million.
Spoiler alert . . . it’s not down to nicotine gum.
My main gripe with the ban is that no casual vaper wants to fiddle with clunky e-cigs.
Instead, they’ll just reach for the next most convenient product: a pack of 20 fags.
Isn’t that what we should be phasing out?
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