‘Great day for wildlife’ as disposable vapes set to be banned in the UK

The RSPCA has declared it a “great day for wildlife” – as the UK Government announces a ban on disposable vapes.

Disposable vapes and their impact on animals has been a growing concern for the charity’s officers on the frontline. 

Five million single-use e-cigarettes are thrown away every week, and many of them end up as litter in our environment, our rivers and the ocean where they can cause harm to animals and marine life. These vapes contain materials and poisonous substances which can be hazardous to animals including plastic, lithium and nicotine. 

Between 2020 and 2022, 10,482 calls about animals affected by litter were made to the charity’s emergency line, and it is believed vapes have been contributing to the problem. 

RSPCA head of public affairs David Bowles said: “Discarded disposable vapes pose a threat to the environment and animals – so this news marks a great day for wildlife right across the UK.

“The infrastructure for recycling these vapes just isn’t widely available – and too many single-use vapes are simply being tossed away in our communities, putting animals needlessly at risk.  

“Animals could be in danger by ingesting liquid from discarded, disposable vapes; while strewn devices can also impact habitats. Dealing with this is positive for the environment and for animal welfare, and we look forward to working with the UK Government to ensure the ban can be introduced as soon as possible.”

Research from Material Focus* suggests the number of disposable vapes being discarded each week has increased to five million – with three percent of UK vapers – including eight percent of 16-18 year olds – admitting they drop single-use vapes on the ground.

A survey from the RSPCA – as part of its #VexedAboutVapes campaign – showed 94% of respondents supported a ban on disposable vapes.

David added: “Our survey found that more than 90 percent of respondents were concerned about the impact disposable vapes have on both the environment and wildlife.

“More than seven in ten people also said they’d found discarded disposable vapes – highlighting how widespread this litter is, and the potential threat to animals. We are therefore delighted our campaign has been successful and that we’ll hopefully soon be seeing a ban implemented in the UK.”

The Welsh Government has announced that it is in support of the UK Government’s new legislation and also plans to bring forward a ban on disposable vapes in Wales due to their ‘significant environmental impacts’. This comes after more than 1,000 people from Wales responded to the joint consultation, which has paved the way for the introduction of regulation powers to restrict the sale of vaping products in Wales as well as England. 

In Scotland, the Scottish Government is currently consulting on their own ban. 

More information on the charity’s #VexedAboutVapes campaign can be found online.