Single use vapes: Sale and supply to be banned in Northern Ireland by April next year

The sale and supply of single use vapes is to be banned in Northern Ireland by April next year.

Environment minister Andrew Muir made the announcement on Thursday, which he said came amid an “alarming” rise in usage.

He said the ban was being introduced in a bid to stop five million single use vapes being thrown away or littered every week across the UK.

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

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“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.

Each region is due to progress its own legislation and all have agreed to work towards a date of April 1, 2025 for the beginning of the ban.

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

“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.”