Superdrug to stop selling disposable vapes across all UK and Ireland stores

22 September 2023 , 13:02

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Superdrug will no longer be selling disposable vapes in its stores (Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Superdrug will stop selling disposable vapes in all of its stores across the UK and Ireland.

The beauty and health retailer announced the news today citing the environmental impact as the reason for the move. Superdrug says that nearly five million single-use e-cigarettes are now disposed of every week in Britain - up from 1.3million last year.

The products that will no longer be sold include Flavaah and Vuse Go - a British-American Tobacco brand. Superdrug has not yet announced a specific date for the ban to come into place although it said it has stopped all purchases of single-use vapes and aims to have its stock clear by the end of this year.

Lucy Morton-Channon, head of environmental, social, and governance, said: "The rate that consumers are using single-use vapes and discarding them is worrying and alarming for the environment. Many of these single-use vapes contain lithium batteries, which should be disposed of responsibly but many end up in landfill, and incorrect battery disposal can lead to a risk of fires.

"The lasting effects that single use vapes are having on the environment needs to be addressed, and I am pleased that we’ve decided to remove them from all stores."

They look and taste like sweets - no wonder underage vaping is sweeping Britain

Healthcare director at Superdrug Ghada Beal noted that it was the retailer's "responsibility" to provide the best choice for customers who want alternatives to cigarettes. "whether that’s smoking cessation products or vaping options".

They added: "We need to be responsible about the growing trend in disposable vapes among young people, and the lasting effect on the environment."

Calls for a nationwide ban on the sale of single-use vapes for both environmental and health grounds gained traction in July of this year. Earlier this month it was reported that the Government was considering it.

Concerns about the products come after a large amount of young people - under the age 18 - were found to be picking up the habit. This has been blamed on the fact that vapes are usually sold in bright colours with sweet flavours. According to recent Government data, 9% of 11 to 15-year-olds were currently vaping with 4% classed as being "regular users"

Supermarket chain Waitrose announced it would stop selling disposable vapes in January of this year again citing health and the environmental reasons for the move.

Ruby Flanagan