Vape fires still rising, one year on from the disposables ban

One year on from the ban on disposable vapes and e-cigarettes there are signs it is failing to cut the number of fires involving the gadgets, according to FOI data¹ obtained by Zurich Insurance.

Responses from 38 fire brigades across the UK show incidents involving electronic cigarettes were around a third higher in 2025 (172 fires) compared with 2024 (132 fires), despite the new rules which came in on 1 June 2025.  The number of vape fires attended by the emergency services has climbed sharply since 2021 when there were 31 incidents reported in total.

The actual number of blazes is likely to be even higher given the cause of serious fires can be hard to determine and not all brigades collect the relevant data. Other services, such as refuse collectors, regularly tackle small fires themselves.

The number of adults in Britain who vape has climbed to 10% – that’s around five and a half million people² – and 7% of 11-17 year olds also vape regularly³. E-cigarettes contain a lithium-ion battery which can ignite and burn fiercely if they are not used or disposed of correctly.

Government legislation made it illegal to sell or supply single-use vapes, also known as disposable vapes, from 1 June 2025 but concerns have been raised about the sale of illegal products which don’t comply with UK regulations⁴. These can contain dangerous levels of harmful substances, as well as being more likely to develop faults, and in some instances are believed to be connected to organised crime.

Non-disposable vapes also tend to have a higher battery capacity so, while they should be discarded less often, they have the potential to do more damage if they are involved in a fire.

Charlie Bush, Head of Large and Complex Claims at Zurich UK, said: “The rapid increase in vaping is cause for concern on many levels. While the long-term health implications of vaping remain unknown, our figures show the risk of fire and therefore damage and injury is a growing threat here and now. While some vape fires are minor, lithium-ion batteries are unpredictable and can cause particularly high temperatures in a fire. There are instances where blazes get out of control and people are seriously injured.

“Getting rid of disposable vapes is a positive step. However, illegal imports and a general lack of understanding about some of the fire risks are both issues which still need tackling.”

The introduction of the ban on disposables was intended to combat a range of issues, including the quantity of vapes being wrongly thrown away as rubbish and high numbers littering the streets. Recent research from Material Focus found more than 6 million vapes and pods are still being thrown away every week, creating a fire risk in the waste system, although this is down from the peak⁵.

Scott Butler, Executive Director at Material Focus, said:

“Vapes are one of the most environmentally wasteful, damaging and dangerous consumer products ever sold. The ban on disposables was a major move however, too many vapes are still binned and littered. 43% who tried to recycle a vape at a supermarket were unable to do so and are being met with a recycling lottery. All retailers should comply with environmental regulations and provide recycling points.”

Joanne Henderson, the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC’s) Smoking and Vape Lead, said:

“One of the simplest ways people can help prevent vape fires is to buy safe, charge safe and recycle safely. Every vape that is thrown into a bin, where the lithium-ion battery can become crushed or damaged instead of being recycled correctly, has the potential to cause a serious fire. These fires can start in household bins, or later in bin lorries and waste sites, putting residents, workers and firefighters at risk.”

An example claim

A fire in a newsagents in north London which happened in the summer of 2024 was traced back to a display of vapes and e-cigarettes. Four fire engines responded to a fire alarm and extinguished the flames within an hour and a half. Half of the shop was badly damaged, with roof timbers and a rear wall needing to be replaced. The shop had to be closed for more than six months for repairs, with a claim cost of around £130,000.

Zurich tips on vapes and fire prevention

• Always buy vapes and pods from a reputable outlet – avoid fakes or any products which are suspiciously cheap
• Always use the charger which came with the device, and charge it on a flat, solid surface to avoid overheating. Never charge it on a soft surface such as a duvet
• Never leave a vape on charge unattended or for a long time, eg overnight
• If either your vape or charger seem to be getting unusually hot, stop using them immediately and switch off the power
• Batteries that are overheating, bulging, hissing or letting off gas are at immediate risk of catching fire. Leave the device behind, ideally away from other objects, move everyone else away and dial 999. Don’t try to tackle a lithium-ion battery fire yourself

Notes to editors

¹Analysis is based on responses to a Freedom of Information data request to 47 fire authorities on 13 April 2026 and on some publicly available data.