Written question asked by Steven Bonnar (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 8 February 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 February 2024. It was answered by Robbie Moore (Conservative) on Monday, 19 February 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Electronic Cigarettes: Waste Disposal

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the scale of the environmental impact of disposable vapes.

Answer: When littered, disposable vapes can introduce plastic, nicotine salts, heavy metals, lead, mercury, and flammable lithium-ion batteries into the natural environment. These items and substances contaminate waterways and soil, posing a risk to the environment and animal health. Defra commissioned external research to further understand the environmental harms of disposable vapes, which is published online. The objectives of this report included understanding the UK single-use vape market, disposal methods, environmental impacts and other international approaches to regulating vapes.

Secondary information