Vape ban: What’s next for retailers?

The UK vaping industry will be hit by many changes to regulation in 2025, following the disposable vapes ban. With a recent poll showing that 95 per cent of UK retailers believe the ban will hurt small businesses, Markus Lindblad, from nicotine pouch retailer Northerner, part of Haypp Group, comments on some of the biggest changes to come into effect this year, and what retailers can do to prepare.

A number of critical issues, such as a potential flavour ban on vapes and nicotine products are still up for debate. The stated aim of a ban is to reduce the attractiveness of alternative nicotine products on the market. Ministers are considering limiting flavours to tobacco, mint, menthol, and fruit.

However, we believe this would be a mistake. Research indicates that a range of flavours are important for vape users, particularly those that are using vapes as an alternative to cigarettes. For example, fruit flavours are popular amongst ex-smokers, and research suggests that limiting flavours to mint, menthol, or tobacco would drive many back to cigarettes.

Retailers can play an important role here. The government is rightly concerned that certain types of flavours may encourage underage vaping. Retailers may wish to think about self-regulating the types of flavours they stock. At Haypp, we made the decision not to sell any products whose flavours or product names might be deliberately targeted at underage people.

Whenever a product is banned, naturally, illegal sales rise. This has been seen time and time again throughout history. A percentage of the vapes that are used by underage consumers are also purchased illegally from unscrupulous retailers on the black market. We are sure to see a new black market emerging for the sale of disposable vapes after the ban comes into effect.

Alternative products to rise in popularity 

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, when it becomes law later this year, will probably see a ban on vaping in many public spaces and public buildings. This will generate new interest from consumers for alternative products, such as nicotine pouches or nicotine gums.

Research by Haypp Group, the owners of Northerner found that one of the main advantages of switching from smoking or vaping to nicotine pouches is the fact that they are more smoke free and more discreet, and so can still be used in public buildings, on public transport and in public places. These products will be of particular interest to vape users who work with the public or in public spaces.