The United Kingdom has long been a global leader in tobacco harm reduction (THR), advocating for the use of safer nicotine products like e-cigarettes to help smokers quit. But a recent investigation into NHS Trust practices and looming regulatory changes—most notably, the upcoming disposable vape ban—suggest the nation’s approach may be faltering under the weight of policy inconsistencies, enforcement gaps, and misaligned priorities.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request commissioned by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) examined training practices across 17 NHS Trusts, covering more than 150 hospitals. The findings reveal a troubling picture: while most Trusts offer some smoking cessation training, a quarter have not made it mandatory, and two provide none at all. When training is available, refresh cycles vary dramatically—from annual updates to once every five years—while some Trusts have no policy on updates whatsoever.
This inconsistency extends to guidance on nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) and vaping. Most Trusts provide information on traditional NRTs like gums and sprays, but not all include vaping in their cessation strategies. One Trust offers no cessation support at all, and several avoid recommending vaping, citing a lack of national guidance.
This fragmented approach undermines public health. Evidence increasingly shows that vaping is not only less harmful than smoking but also an effective cessation tool. Research from Brunel University London estimates that if just half of England’s smokers switched to vaping, the NHS could save over £500 million annually. The 2022 Khan Review, commissioned by the government, strongly recommended that healthcare professionals promote vaping where appropriate and counteract widespread misinformation.
To help address these disparities, UKVIA has launched an online Healthcare Hub to give professionals and patients science-based resources on vaping. The association has also hosted webinars with public health experts to promote more unified cessation strategies across the UK. But without national leadership mandating consistent training and guidance, local gaps will continue to jeopardize quit attempts—and lives.
Will the diposables’ ban push ex-smokers back to cigarettes?
These systemic shortcomings come at a time of significant upheaval in UK vaping policy. On June 1st, 2025, the government will implement a nationwide ban on disposable vapes. This policy, aimed at curbing youth use and reducing environmental harm, is fraught with risks, particularly for adult smokers and vapers who rely on disposables for quitting or staying off cigarettes.
With only days to go until the disposable vape ban comes into effect, millions of vapers and smokers will be left searching for safer, legal alternatives. However, this landmark policy shift leaves several critical questions unanswered, including: What happens next for current users? Will consumers return to smoking, seek out the black market, or is there a better way forward?
In light of these concerns, expert commentary from Tomas Hammargren, Chief Risk Reduction Officer at KLAR, offers a timely perspective. Hammargren, a recognised authority in harm reduction with more than 40 years of global experience in nicotine innovation, product safety, and regulation, sees the upcoming vape ban as a pivotal opportunity to prioritise harm reduction strategies rather than undermine them.
“With the disposable vape ban fast approaching, the UK is at a turning point in nicotine policy” Hammargren states. For the millions who vape or are trying to quit smoking, this is a critical opportunity to prioritise harm reduction. Our research shows 73% of smokers and vapers want to quit in 2025.”
Can the UK handle what comes next?
Other critics highlight that the ban is being introduced without a credible enforcement plan. Of the £30 million earmarked annually to combat the illicit tobacco trade, only a third will go to Trading Standards—the agency tasked with enforcing the vape ban. James Lowman of the Association of Convenience Stores warns that these limited resources could enable a booming black market. While Mark Oates, of We Vape, adds that the government is “making a rod for its own back” with a policy that’s both tough to enforce and harmful to public health.
Infact, enforcement agencies have already seized millions of illegal vape products. Yet, with only a small number of apprentice officers added to the system and inadequate penalties for violations, rogue retailers and black market operators continue to thrive. This situation is exacerbated by data from Vape Club showing that over half of UK vapers have unwittingly purchased illegal products—many through convenience stores, market stalls, or even social media.
The ban is likely to derail smoking cessation progress
More worrying still, the government’s own impact assessment projects that nearly a third of vapers may return to smoking once disposables are banned. Clive Bates, a leading THR advocate, warns that eliminating one of the most accessible alternatives to cigarettes—especially for lower-income users—could prove disastrous. With adult vaping rates plateauing and smoking cessation progress stalled since 2020, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Despite good intentions, the crackdown on disposables may fuel the very public health crisis it aims to solve. Younger users are already shifting to refillables, as shown in a University College London study, but for many older or transitioning smokers, disposables remain a critical step away from cigarettes. Cutting off that option without robust education and enforcement leaves a dangerous vacuum.
Feeding black markets
Meanwhile, many vapers are still unaware of the upcoming ban. A recent survey found that around 600,000 adult vapers—roughly 1 in 10—hadn’t heard about the new law. Nearly a quarter said they’d consider buying illicit vapes to save money, underscoring the urgent need for better communication and regulatory clarity.
In response to such data, calls for a vape retailer and distributor licensing framework are growing louder. Proponents argue that licensing could fund better enforcement, allow authorities to identify and punish bad actors, and ensure that adult users still have access to legal, regulated products. Without such measures, industry leaders fear the disposable ban will simply drive vapers underground—or worse, back to combustible tobacco.
In Ireland, the government is preparing for such an approach. Starting in 2026, retailers will be required to pay annual licensing fees—€1,000 for tobacco and €800 for vape products. The goal is to reduce retail availability and youth access, while funding oversight. Whether the UK will follow suit remains to be seen.
From quitting to questioning
Ultimately, the UK’s roadmap to a smokefree future must be grounded in science, not panic. That means empowering healthcare workers with consistent training, embracing vaping as a legitimate cessation tool, and designing regulations that support rather than sabotage quitting efforts. Without course correction, the country risks missing its 2030 smokefree target—and squandering one of its most powerful tools in the fight against tobacco harm.
From Harm Reduction to Harm Reversal? The UK’s Disposable Vape Ban Leaves Users Adrift
