Trading Standards

Statutory Guidelines On Disposable BBQs

The Government has issued important safety advice on the supply of disposable barbecues.

They must be taken into account by retailers and distributors of disposable barbecues in ensuring they do not supply products that they know or ought to know to be dangerous, in line with their legal requirements under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR) as it applies in Great Britain (GB).

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), as the UK's national product regulator, and Local Authority Trading Standards, have powers to enforce the GPSR and there are sanctions, including criminal sanctions, for those that do not comply with the requirements.

Disposable barbecues have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months.

During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product. 

They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time. These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks. 

For further information go to GOV.UK.

Sale of Disposable Vapes Banned 

The sale of disposable vapes are now banned in England.

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 SI 2024 No. 1216  are now enacted. 

It is now illegal for businesses to sell, offer to sell or have in their possession for sale all single-use or ‘disposable’ vapes. This applies to:

• sales online and in shops
• all vapes whether or not they contain nicotine 

To access our Enforcement on the new legislation go to Guidance (pdf 401kb) 

If a vape is reusable, you’ll still be able sell it. For the national guidance go to: Gov.uk 

Tobacco and Vapes Act Related Guidance

On the 11 August 2026 DHSC published four pieces of guidance to support understanding of initial measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026.  This guidance is mainly intended for retailers, who will need to understand the changes in the law. It may also be useful for wholesalers, business owners, enforcement authorities and people who use these products.

The measures will commence on 29 October 2026 and 1 January 2027. These are:

1. Selling tobacco, herbal smoking products and cigarette papers Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-tobacco-herbal-smoking-products-and-cigarette-papers
2. Selling vaping and nicotine products Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-vaping-and-nicotine-products
3. Tobacco, vaping and nicotine products: fixed penalty notices Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tobacco-vaping-and-nicotine-products-fixed-penalty-notices
4. Tobacco and vaping product vending machine ban Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tobacco-and-vaping-product-vending-machine-…