Students react to disposable vape ban

A nationwide ban on disposable vapes has been confirmed by the government and is set to take effect on 1 June, 2025, in England and Wales. The ban aims to prevent the rising number of vapers and prevent underage access to these products.

This decision which was first announced in January, means that remaining disposable vape stock must be sold before the deadline as shops should, “prepare for the ban coming into force”.

In October 2023 a young girl in the UK suffered lung collapse due her vaping addiction, she was in an induced coma for four days. Not long after this the Government began to make proposals to restrict the marketing and sale of vapes to young people, as well as banning disposable vapes.

Kellis Soleil, a student who studies Business management at Kingston University has been vaping since she began University. She said: “The ban is frustrating for me as I cannot go without my vapes now, it might save me money but I love it, it relaxes me.”

Recent survey statistics from The Tab revealed that as of 2024, 57% of university students say they are addicted to vaping. However, a ranking of UK universities by vaping rates did not place Kingston University in the top 20.

“I’m not surprised by the university statistics overall,” Soleil added. “Everyone in my friend group vapes, even though none of us did before university.”

Soleil did acknowledge a positive side to the upcoming restrictions: “It’s a good thing that it is getting banned as too many people of young ages are affecting their health. I do hope it works.”