**Shops in Neath Port Talbot Found Selling Banned Disposable Vapes Despite Nationwide Ban**
Two businesses in Neath Port Talbot have been caught retailing single-use vapes, in breach of newly established regulations banning their sale across Wales and the rest of the UK. Trading Standards officers recovered a total of 67 disposable vapes following concerns that some retailers were disregarding the recent legislation.
From 1 June 2025, it became illegal to sell disposable vapes in both physical outlets and online platforms throughout Wales. The strict prohibition, which also applies to vapes not containing nicotine, was introduced in response to mounting environmental concerns and to tackle the rise in underage use of such products. The ban is comprehensive, targeting all entities involved in the supply chain, including manufacturers, wholesalers, healthcare providers, stop-smoking services, and of course, shops.
The decisive action follows intelligence received by the local Trading Standards team, prompting targeted raids on premises suspected of selling the now-banned items. During visits to two separate shops, officials uncovered the illicit products, which the proprietors agreed to hand over voluntarily for disposal.
Councillor Cen Phillips, the cabinet member for nature, tourism, and wellbeing at Neath Port Talbot Council, commented on the matter, underlining the public health and ecological rationale behind the ban. He stated, “The ban on disposable vapes is there to protect the public and the environment and has been well publicised. Disposable vapes are a significant problem, as they contain hazardous materials which are difficult to safely dispose of and because they are frequently purchased by under-18s.”
This issue is further illuminated by the Environmental Protection (Single Use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024, which defines a disposable vape as a device not intended for repeat use and incapable of being refilled or recharged. Products featuring prefilled pods that cannot be replaced separately or tanks that are permanently sealed likewise fall under this classification.
Officials warn that those caught breaching these new rules not only face the immediate confiscation of goods, but also risk receiving formal warnings. Repeat offenders could find themselves subject to fixed penalty notices and, potentially, legal prosecution. The council has emphasised that appropriate steps are being taken to dispose of confiscated products in line with environmental guidelines.
The crackdown forms part of a wider government initiative to address the environmental damage posed by single-use vapes – devices often discarded after brief use, with batteries and chemical residues contaminating landfill sites. Furthermore, concerns about the popularity of these items among young people have lent further urgency to their prohibition.
For businesses uncertain about the scope of the ban, officials advise consulting the official list of regulatory-compliant products on the Gov.UK website. Meanwhile, the public is being urged to report any shops or sellers they believe are offering disposable vapes or selling tobacco and vaping products to minors.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133, or the Welsh-speaking helpline on 0808 223 1144. Alternatively, concerns can be relayed via email to tsd@npt.gov.uk for direct attention from Trading Standards officers.
As enforcement efforts continue, the case serves as a timely reminder of the responsibilities that both retailers and consumers share in upholding the law – and the importance of environmental and youth protection at the heart of the new measures.