British pharmacy chain Superdrug will stop selling single-use vapes, the company says, citing the environmental impact caused by their disposal and the popularity of the products among young people.

Almost five million disposable vapes are thrown away every week in Britain according to research by non-governmental organisation Material Focus and YouGov.

The vapes, many of which contain lithium-ion batteries, frequently end up in landfill.

Superdrug said it has stopped all purchases of single-use vapes and aims to have its stock completely cleared by the end of the year.

The retailer said it sells 1300 single-use vapes per week, indicating a likely hit to revenue from the decision.

Councils in England and Wales called on the government in July to ban the sale of single-use vapes by 2024 on both environmental and health grounds, and the Telegraph reported last week health ministers were considering a ban.

"We need to be responsible about the growing trend in disposable vapes among young people, and the lasting effect on the environment," Superdrug's health care director Ghada Beal said in a statement.

Superdrug said the products that would no longer be sold included Flavaah and Vuse Go, a British-American Tobacco brand.

Boots, Britain's biggest pharmacy chain, did not immediately reply to a request for comment on its single-use vape policy.

Supermarket chain Waitrose in January announced it would stop selling disposable vapes.