AV News #25

In this month’s newsletter we are offering our advice to retailers on what to do pre and post-legislation, a strategic timeline to follow, as well as the option to receive informative leaflets on pod and legal big puff devices to hand out to your customers.

As part of VApril this year, we encourage you to educate your disposable customers about alternative options like legal big puff devices and pod kits.

We have created educational flyers that you can hand out to your disposable customers, highlighting the benefits and features of next-gen devices and like-for-like alternatives.

By educating your customers, you can compete against illegal vapes with legal big puff devices and establish your store as the go-to vape destination after the disposable vape ban.

The crucial date for all retailers to mark on their calendar is April 1st, 2025. This marks the enforcement of the ban on disposable vapes. This regulatory measure plans to ease the environmental repercussions associated with single-use vaping devices.

The Government have made it clear that a single-use vape is classed as something that is not refillable, not rechargeable and a coil which is not cannot be replaced.

The Government will also introduce a tax which will differ for varying nicotine levels in e-liquid products. They have planned to implement this on 1st October 2026 as shown below:

Tighter restrictions on flavours, vape display units, and packaging are yet to be announced. However, there are no confirmed details on what this legislation will look like just yet.

The disposable ban of course raises concerns about what it means for other devices. Pod systems will make it through the ban as they tick all the boxes, however some legal big puff devices aren’t as likely to pass in their current design. Manufacturers are adapting these devices with legal big puff innovations to make sure they are legal and compliant post-ban.

In preparation for the upcoming ban on disposable vapes, retailers are advised to adhere to a strategic timeline in order to prosper after legislation.

Six months prior to the ban, retailers should conduct a thorough assessment of existing stock levels and start to educate themselves on alternatives such as pod systems and legal big puff devices. This should be followed by proactive engagement with customers, shedding light on the impending ban and acquainting them with the array of reusable vapes available.

Retailers should adjust stock levels to maintain 2 weeks supply on their fast-selling disposable lines and start to plan the gradual phasing out of slow movers, replacing these with post-ban legal products.

In January 2025, the focus should shift to optimising inventory management by ordering reduced quantities of disposables at more frequent intervals and ramping up efforts to promote alternative products to customers through promotions and flyers.

As the ban approaches, retailers should accelerate the transition process by gradually phasing out remaining disposable inventory while replenishing high-demand products, keeping a close eye on shifting consumer preferences and adjusting stock accordingly.

Finally, in the last two weeks leading up to the ban, retailers should prioritise restocking popular disposable variants to cater to customer demand and re-introduce those still purchasing disposables to compliant alternatives.

A recent report made by HMRC suggests that there is still a strong base of disposable users.

Infact, 32% of the 18-24 year olds who were surveyed used disposable vapes while only 11% of those aged 18-24 used reusable vapes.

Statistics from the Scottish Local Retailer (2024) show that over half of adult vapers from the UK prefer disposables for their convenience and affordability.

However, survey data found that 44% would switch to rechargeable vapes after the disposable ban, so now is the time to slowly transition these customers.

We urge retailers to seize this opportunity, especially during Vapril, to educate consumers on the benefits of reusable alternatives with our flyers, with a focus on accessibility, convenience, and long-term cost savings.

It is crucial at this point to be stocking innovative pod systems and legal big puff devices, so make sure you get ahead of the game and get these products in your range.

Educate your staff and customers on disposable alternatives, the advantages of pod systems and legal big puff devices, order on 08081 687 551 or [email protected].