The Government of Jersey has lodged a proposition to ban single-use vapes in the island by June 2025.

Plans have been in the works for the last few months, with politicians looking at the best ways to get the products out of the hands of children. 

It is estimated millions of vapes are disposed of each week across the British Isles, despite many jurisdictions having bans on single-use plastics.

Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan wants to amend the Jersey Single Use Plastics Law, which currently covers plastic and paper bags, to prohibit non-recyclable vapes.

It's hoped this ban will coincide with a similar UK law on the sale of disposable vapes coming in from 1 June next year. 

Deputy Andy Jehan

Minister for Infrastructure Andy Jehan tells us more about the plans:

"This is a ban on single-use vapes. We're trying to reduce the amount of waste that is created by these products. 

"I'm looking at this from an environmental aspect, I'm sure there are other concerns around health, but single-use vapes are unsustainable. 

"They give us big challenges in terms of their disposal. What we're looking to do is to reduce the waste and encourage people to have more sustainable habits.

"It's about not having thousands of plastics thrown on the street and into the gutter."

A recent study by Public Health Jersey reveals that 95.65% of local young vape users choose single-use devices rather than the more sustainable options.

Disposable vape packaging

Deputy Andy Jehan tells us what the next steps are for implementing the ban: 

"Hopefully we can debate this in December and then hopefully it will be a similar timeline to the UK.

"We want to give retailers time to sell the products that they've already got in stock and make sure we have the regulation in force for mid 2025."