Overview

• Since June 1, offenders face a £200 penalty for first breaches of the disposable vape ban, with repeat violations risking unlimited fines or jail time.
• Lancashire Police and Rochdale Borough Council have confiscated between £7,000 and £10,000 worth of banned vapes along with more than 600 devices in recent raids.
• A Mirror investigation found multiple London shops openly selling banned Elf Bar, SKE and Lost Mary disposables, some offering bulk discounts to undercover reporters.
• Retailers warn that pricier reusable vapes are deterring customers, prompting some shoppers to purchase cheaper alternatives elsewhere.
• Public reaction remains split, with supporters highlighting environmental gains and critics expressing concern over the ban’s economic impact on small businesses.