North Lincolnshire Council is encouraging people who are using disposable vapes to quit smoking to prepare for the forthcoming ban, which comes into force on 1 June 2025.
From then, it will be illegal to sell or supply disposable (single use) vapes across England, Scotland and Wales. All vapes sold must be rechargeable and refillable.
Smokers and vapers are urged to switch to a reusable device and seek free stop smoking support from the Healthy Lifestyle Team, who offer free, tailored programmes supporting residents to quit, including a ‘swap to stop’ scheme where smokers can switch from tobacco to vaping.
Local residents are also being offered a premium version of a highly rated Smoke Free app where individuals can get six months free, unlocking the top level of personalised support.
Vaping remains one of the most effective tools to help smokers quit. Over half of people who successfully quit smoking in the past five years used a vape to support their quit attempt.
Cllr Christine Patterson, cabinet member for healthy lives and places, said: “Everyone knows how hard it is to give up smoking, which is why we have so much help and resources in North Lincolnshire.
“The ban on single use vapes will mean vapers will save money in the long term, while still being able to use vaping as a tried and tested way to quit the habit and reap the health rewards.”
Diane Lee, Director, Public Health for North Lincolnshire, said: “This new law is an important step forward for both public health and the environment. It reduces waste and helps prevent children from getting hold of vapes.
“But we must be clear that vaping is a far less harmful alternative for adults trying to quit smoking.
“Reusable vapes are widely available, and our local stop smoking services offer expert advice, support, and even free vape kits to help people quit smoking for good.
“Please remember to safely dispose of single use vapes ahead of the ban at either a vape shop or your local household waste recycling site. They cannot be disposed of in general waste and have caused many fires.”
Scott Crosby, Associate Director at the Humber and North Yorkshire Tobacco Control Centre for Excellence, said: “The new rules will help to take millions of single-use plastics out of the environment and reduce youth access to vapes. But this is not a ban on all vapes – adult smokers will still have a full range of effective and affordable options to help them quit tobacco.
“Switching to a refillable device now could save you money within weeks. And a chat with a professional stop smoking adviser can help ensure you’re getting the right level of nicotine to quit and making the most of vaping as a quit aid.
“It’s important to remember that tobacco – not vaping – is the real killer. Cigarette butts are the most littered item globally, and the poisons they contain, like arsenic and lead, pollute our soil, rivers, and seas, damaging our wildlife.”
NHS advice is clear – nicotine vaping is less harmful than smoking as well as one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking. Vaping is not completely risk free and children and non-smokers should never vape.
Learn about vaping to quit on the NHS Better Health website.
