In November last year, Parliament passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill with 415 votes in favour and 47 against. This means that all disposable vapes, including disposable big puff vapes, will no longer be sold in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland from 1 June this year. With approximately 3 million big puff vapes sold every week, this is a blow to a huge number of vapers who will no longer be able to buy these particular devices.

Find out about the implications of the ban on big puff vapes, the impact of these regulatory changes on consumers, and alternatives for vapers who prefer high-puff-count vapes such as disposable vape pod kits.

Understanding the Disposable Vapes Ban

Disposable vapes are arguably the most popular type of vaping device in the UK. However, with more than 8 million of these devices thrown away or not recycled properly every week, there are serious concerns about their impact on the environment, particularly in terms of battery disposal and plastic waste. The government also has concerns about insufficient controls on their sale, their role in causing fires, and the popularity of disposable vapes among underage vapers.

These issues set the stage for the disposable vapes ban coming into effect in a few months. From 1 June, vape providers in the UK, whether they have physical or online shops, will not be allowed to sell, offer to sell, or possess any single-use vapes.

Why Big Puff Vapes are Included in the Ban

Big puffs are known for containing more e-liquid, rechargeable batteries, and higher puff counts than standard disposable vapes. These devices are designed to be used until the e-liquid runs out or the battery can no longer be recharged, whichever happens first. For many vapers, this means that big puff vapes are midway between disposable and reusable devices.

However, according to the newly passed bill, they are considered disposable devices and are, therefore, banned.

The bill emphasises that vapes must be rechargeable and refillable and have coils that can be bought separately and replaced easily to be considered reusable. Big puff vapes that are rechargeable but not refillable or whose coils can’t be replaced are not considered reusable vapes, and their sale will be banned from 1 June.

Enforcement of the Ban

Different government agencies will regulate and enforce the disposable vapes ban. These include the Border Force, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), and Trading Standards.

If vape shops contravene the ban, they could face one or more civil sanctions (non-criminal penalties), such as stop notices, compliance notices, fines, enforcement cost recovery notices, or imprisonment.

The Ban’s Impact on Vapers

For many vapers, especially those who use vaping as a tool to stop smoking cigarettes, the disposable vape ban could be a big disruption. Like other disposable vaping devices, big puff vapes such as the SKE Crystal CL6000 or Vaporesso Dojo Blast 6000 are often the first step for smokers who are switching to vaping, as they are simpler and require much less commitment than reusable devices. However, from June 2025, these vapes may fall under the ban, although there is still much debate about how they are classified as they are refillable and rechargeable, so this remains a grey area for now.

The ban, its uncertainties, and the disruption it causes might push some vapers toward refillable, reusable vapes. While reusable devices are more cost-effective in the long run, they require more learning and maintenance. Some vapers undoubtedly will appreciate these aspects of reusable vapes, although they might find the initial learning curve an inconvenience.

However, other vapers might find the initial outlay, more complex set-up, and greater maintenance requirements a deterrent to using reusable devices. This could potentially see these vapers return to smoking cigarettes or look for black-market alternatives, both of which come with significant health risks.

Alternatives to Disposable Vapes

As many big puff vapes will no longer be available in a few months’ time, vapers who will be affected by the ban will need to consider alternatives to these disposable vapes, such as:

• Reusable pod systems: These devices combine portability with customisable options. Pre-filled pod systems such as Gold Bar Apollo 20K Pod Kit or refillable vape pods are a convenient way to switch from disposable vapes to reusable devices.
• Vape mods: Some experienced vapers might prefer vape mods that let them change device settings such as wattage, temperature, and airflow. These devices also offer greater freedom and flexibility in terms of e-liquid flavour and nicotine strength.

A short-term option is to purchase disposable vapes in bulk so that you can keep using your favourite devices for a few weeks or months after 1 June. However, when your supply at home runs out, you will eventually need to consider alternative devices.

Prepare for the Disposable Vape Ban

As the disposable vape ban is no longer a matter of “if” but “when,” it’s important to start preparing for the coming change. The ban has far-reaching implications for the vaping market, particularly for big puff vapes. While the ban might effectively address serious environmental and public health concerns, it risks alienating vapers who rely on these devices as tools to stop smoking.

The vaping industry will need to rise to the challenge of providing accessible, sustainable, and effective alternatives to single-use and disposable big puff vapes that meet the needs of regulators and users. Vapers will need to face the challenge of finding alternatives, such as devices that use refillable vape pods. The Legion of Vapers team is here to provide helpful advice and recommendations to help you continue chasing clouds after the ban comes into effect.