Nothing kills the festival buzz quicker than having your vape confiscated at the gates — especially while your mates are already inside, securing the best spot for the headliner.
With the UK’s disposable vape ban now in full swing and festival organisers going all-in on sustainability, vaping at festivals in 2025 has completely changed.
Since 1st June 2025, disposable vapes are no longer sold anywhere in the UK — and while that sounded like a bit of a nightmare at first, it’s actually worked out well for savvy festival-goers.
Glastonbury has banned disposables outright, adding them to their no-go list alongside flares and glass bottles. Reading & Leeds, along with pretty much every other major UK festival, has followed suit.
Security teams are sharper than ever during bag checks, and if you’re still clinging to an old disposable, chances are it’s getting binned before you make it through the gates. The ban’s being taken seriously, with festival staff trained to enforce it consistently across the board.
The upside?
Festival crews aren’t just taking disposables off you — they’re pointing you toward reusable alternatives, and some even have on-site vendors ready to help if you’ve turned up empty-handed.
What started as a crackdown has turned into a full shift in culture. Festival organisers are pushing refillable and pod-based kits, and most festival-goers have adapted without a hitch.
The result? A noticeable drop in vape litter and a big push toward proper battery and pod disposal. Festival vaping might look a little different in 2025, but it’s cleaner, smarter and still very much part of the weekend vibe.
Major UK Festival Vaping Policies: What You Need to Know
Glastonbury has been setting the standard since 2023 — and to be fair, they’ve nailed it. Their official stance now makes it crystal clear: “Do not bring disposable vapes. They pollute the environment and can be hazardous at waste centres.” Security teams are specifically briefed to look out for disposables during entry checks, so if you bring one, expect to lose it.
Reading & Leeds have probably the most straightforward policy going. Their banned items list spells it out plain as day: “Disposable vapes (note, refillable vapes are permitted).” Unlike some events, they’re not just about saying “no” — they want to steer you toward better, reusable options instead.
Creamfields and Wireless Festival have joined the movement too, rolling out similar bans with added guidance on how to dispose of vape batteries and e-liquid bottles responsibly. Bonus points to them — they’ve even installed battery recycling points near the main stages, which is a surprisingly solid touch.
Since the UK-wide disposable vape ban kicked in, festival security teams are now trained to spot the difference between banned disposables and legal refillable kits. They’re sharper, faster and much more consistent about enforcing the rules.
On the bright side, plenty of festivals have partnered with vape retailers to make sure reliable, refillable kits are available on-site — so even if you show up unprepared, you won’t be left without options.
