Bournemouth vape shop welcomes single-use vape ban

A Bournemouth vape shop has responded positively to the recent ban on single-use vapes claiming “it will be for the best”.

Jessie Tierney, who works at Tidal Vape in Old Christchurch Road, said the ban, which will come into force in June 2025, will be better for the environment as fewer vapes will end up in landfill.

She said that the ban will ultimately help more people to quit smoking.

The shop has been able to help their customers through ‘Stoptober,’ an initiative they have created to help get people off smoking and vaping in 28 days, Ms Tierney added.

Ms Tierney, 20, said: “The ban will affect the business, but we still do sell more devices than single-use vapes. We want to help people to quit smoking, not pick up vaping.

“The ban will be for the best; less lithium batteries will be binned, and more people will turn to reusable vapes.”

Single-use vapes contribute significantly to plastic waste since most of their components, including the casing and internal parts, are made from non-biodegradable materials.

When disposed of improperly, these vapes can end up in landfills or oceans.

In 2023, almost five million vapes were thrown away as waste every week, equating to eight vapes per second.

The Government recently confirmed that disposable vapes will be prohibited from being sold in England starting next summer.

Commencing in June 2025, it will be illegal to sell single-use vapes as part of efforts to address environmental harm and their prevalent use among children.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that the legislation has been laid out in parliament, emphasising their collaboration with devolved governments to ensure a synchronised implementation.

As communities brace for this change, the ban is expected to spark discussions about vaping culture and its implications for public health and environmental sustainability.

However, for some businesses that rely heavily on the sale of single-use vapes, this legislation poses significant challenges.

Many retailers may face financial losses as they work to clear existing stock before the June 2025 deadline, and some smaller shops could struggle to adapt to the changing market landscape.

Matthew T. Raymond, 20, an employee at Oxxo, Landsdowne, expressed concerns, saying: “The amount of disposable vapes we sell, l imagine it’s going to be a pretty hefty blow. It will impact small businesses like us more.”