Trade groups and enforcement bodies urge retailers to get ready for disposable vape ban
March 6, 2025
A selection of disposable vapes with bright and colourful packaging are seen in a convenience store, on January 29, 2024 in London, England.
(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and the Local Government Association (LGA) have called on retailers who sell vape products to ensure that they will comply with the introduction of a ban on disposable vaping products, coming into force on 1 June, 2025.
The ban will affect all products that are intended for one use, typically providing around 600-650 puffs in a single device. The only products that will be legal for sale from 1 June must be both rechargeable and refillable, with a maximum tank size of 10ml.
ACS has produced guidance for retailers, backed by Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards, which outlines the steps that retailers need to take to comply with the ban, as well as their responsibilities when it comes to the rest of the vaping category, including on age related sales, recycling, and advertising.
In the guide, ACS advises retailers to sell through any existing stock of single use vapes before June 1st to avoid possible commercial losses and enforcement action. Any retailers that have stock left over from June 1st must remove it from the shop floor and store it away from customers, clearly labelled as not for sale.
“The introduction of the disposable vape ban is one of the biggest regulatory changes for retailers in recent memory, with businesses needing to think carefully about how they manage their range of vaping products in the coming months to ensure that they’re ready for 1 June,” James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said.
“We urge all retailers to utilise our guide and get in touch if there are products that they’re not sure about.”
Kate Pike, CTSI lead officer for vaping and tobacco, said: “We encourage businesses to take proactive steps now to prepare for the 1st of June. We expect full compliance from that date and look forward to working together with retailers to ensure a smooth transition. Our priority is supporting responsible businesses, but we will take necessary action against non-compliance where required.”
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the LGA Community Wellbeing Board, added: “Councils and Trading Standards teams will work with businesses to support compliance, but retailers must take responsibility for reviewing their stock and only selling legal products after the deadline.”
Federation of Wholesale Distributors chief executive James Bielby said the wholesalers are working with retail customers to help sell through disposable vapes ahead of the ban coming into force.
“Retailers won’t be able to purchase non-compliant stock from wholesalers in good time ahead of the ban, to ensure they won’t be left with products they can’t sell in June,” Bielby said.
