E-cigarettes

In recent years, e-cigarettes, more often known as vapes or vape pens, have become a very popular stop smoking aid in the UK. As of May 2026, there were approximately 5.5 million adult vapers in the UK, which is 10.4% of the adult population. However effective they may be in helping the many thousands of people in the UK quit smoking, they do pose a fire risk. The fire risk with vapes is linked to the lithium-ion battery inside them.

Although they may look harmless, vapes can be highly volatile. This is because every vape comes with a battery which powers the coil and heats the e-liquid to produce vapour. Vapes can have a built-in battery (non-replaceable) or a replaceable battery. These batteries are inserted into the vape and charged via USB-C or removed and charged externally. When a lithium-ion battery gets damaged, it can trigger a process called ‘thermal runaway’, which ultimately becomes uncontrollable, causing an aggressive fire. This is why vapes should never be punctured or crushed.

Safe storage and disposal of vapes is imperative. Surprisingly, there is very little information in the public domain advising users to keep vapes in a cool, dry place, away from sources of heat or direct sunlight, and to avoid keeping them in pockets or bags with other metal objects, as this can cause accidental activation or short circuits.

In 2021 there were 31 fires recorded in the UK that were started as a direct result of the misuse or careless disposal of vapes, and the number continues to increase. In 2022, there were 54 recorded fires, in 2023, 121 recorded fires, in 2024, 132 recorded fires. And in 2025, 172 recorded fires. Refuse collectors have also reportedly tackled many small bin fires themselves that were caused by careless disposal of vapes.

Safety advice to protect yourself and others:

1. Never leave a charging vape unattended, particularly while sleeping.

2. Never charge vapes near exit doors, hallways, or bedrooms.

3. Never overcharge vapes or leave them charging continuously.

4. Do not cover chargers while in use. This can lead to overheating.

5. Always charge vapes on a hard, flat, heat-resistant surface, away from extreme heat.

6. Only use the charger that came with the vape or one recommended by the manufacturer.

7. Never dispose of vapes in general waste or recycling bins. If crushed or punctured, the battery can ignite and cause fires in bin lorries or at waste centres.

8. Return used vapes to the retailer. Shops are legally required to offer a take-back scheme.