With six months to go, Welsh and Scottish retailers urged to prepare for disposable vape ban

The Association of Convenience Retailers (ACS) has advised retailers to begin their preparations for selling through disposable vaping products ahead of a ban, which is set to come into force in Wales and Scotland on 1 April 2025.

Only vaping products that will be legal for sale in Wales and Scotland from that date will be those with following features:

• Must be refillable (a container that is refillable or that can be replaced, such as a pod system) and;
• Must be rechargeable (containing a battery that can be recharged and a replacement coil or coil that is contained in a cartridge or pod which is separately available after purchase and can be replaced in the product’s normal course of use)

Under the previous Westminster government, proposals were put forward to ban disposable vapes on 1 April 2025, with details broadly in line with the rest of the UK, but the current government have not yet confirmed an implementation schedule for the ban.

ACS said it has written to officials, urging the government to provide clarity on timescales for the introduction of the regulations.

The trade body added that it is currently developing more detailed guidance for retailers on the implementation of the ban on disposable vapes, which will be available in due course. Existing guidance on selling legitimate vaping products and preventing underage sales is available here.

ACS has also reminded retailers of their responsibilities when it comes to vape recycling. All retailers who sell vaping products have a responsibility to provide a facility for customers to bring back used or unwanted vapes.

At a minimum, retailers have to provide a recycling facility on a one-for-one basis, meaning that a retailer only has to accept a vape for recycling if the customer is purchasing a new one. Many retailers will opt to provide a bin or container in-store for anyone to return their vapes, which is also permitted.