Retailers urged to act as disposable vape ban approaches

With just four months remaining before the UK’s ban on disposable vapes takes effect on June 1, 2025, retailers are being urged to prepare by selling through remaining stock and adapting to new regulations.

The upcoming ban mandates that all legally available vaping products in the UK must be both refillable and rechargeable, effectively phasing out single-use vapes.

To assist retailers in this transition, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has released a comprehensive guide, backed by Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards. The guide provides key insights on compliance, including:

• Steps to prepare for the disposable vape ban
• Record-keeping and enforcement measures
• Effective communication strategies for informing customers
• Identifying illegitimate products and preventing underage sales
• Vape recycling

Retailers are advised to ensure any remaining disposable vape stock is stored away from the shop floor, clearly labeled as not for sale, and kept separate from other products to avoid confusion.

Additionally, the ACS has designed an in-store poster to help retailers communicate the ban to customers. Both the guide and the poster are available for download on the ACS website.

For those seeking further clarification on the changing regulations, the upcoming Safe & Responsible Retailing Conference on March 12, 2025, at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre will feature in-depth discussions on the vape ban and responsible retailing strategies. Retailers interested in attending can secure their place through the ACS website.