Fifth generation wholesaler Filshill has created Vapora – an AI bot to unlock vapes ban advice for all c-store retailers.
The Keystore franchise owner claimed any retailer across the country could ask Vapora a question relating to the single use vapes ban, which comes into force on 1 June, by emailing vape.questions@filshill.co.uk and the bot will reply instantly with the answer.
Based an advice from the wholesaler’s recently published vape guide, compiled by category manager responsible for the tobacco and vape categories, Derek Cowan, the app also enables retailers to request a list of compliant products, as well as advising on how to safely dispose of all non-compliant stock.
In addition, Vapora allows retailers to request insight from key Filshill and KeyStore personnel, suppliers, and outside organisations using information and advice including public health charity ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), as well as information uploaded from the full legislation documents.
Within both the AI bot and the vape guide, there is advice on optimising a store’s new range of vapes with the bestselling rechargeable devices and how to best educate staff and customers about the new regulations and legal alternatives.
Filshill’s chief executive officer Simon Hannah – a qualified AI trainer – said: “Our guide to the single-use vapes ban has been exceptionally well received by our customers, thanks to the fact that Derek has compiled the information in a format that easy to read and understand.
“As a result of this positive response to our market-leading guide we have decided to use an innovative AI approach to make it available to all retailers – regardless of the trading groups to which they are affiliated – to help the wider convenience sector.
“Using our people’s skills and the technology now available to us we have a duty to make that available to every single retailer to help them understand how important this new legislation is – and the implications if they fail to adhere to it.
“Derek identified early on that many retailers were apprehensive about what the single-used vapes ban would mean for them and realised that the best way to communicate what they have to do and help with that transition was to provide all the key information in one place and make it easily accessible.
“Our AI project takes that one step further and uses a less formal tone of voice to help retailers navigate the legislation.”
Filshill also warned that retailers found selling non-compliant vapes after 1 June may face severe legal consequences via Fixed Monetary Penalties (FMPs) with initial fines starting at £200, with the possibility of this being reduced to £100 if paid within 28 days.
The wholesaler stated that continued non-compliance repeat offences may result in stop notices, preventing retailers from selling all vaping products. Larger fines could be imposed and even a prison sentence is a possibility.
Cowan said: “Any legislation that affects convenience stores is important and requires retailers to be fully compliant with all aspects of it – and the new UK-wide regulations around vapes are particularly important.
“From record-keeping and preparing for the shift to compliant vaping and ensuring that stores continue to provide a dedicated vape recycling bin for customers – even after disposables are no longer available – our PDF guide, and our new AI bot application, should be studied by all retailers and staff who sell vapes to help them understand the many aspects of this upcoming legislation.”
Cowan added: “Retailers who have not yet started transitioning their stock should do so immediately, reducing the number of disposables on sale and keeping only the fastest-selling lines,” he said.
“They should start moving towards compliant, rechargeable vaping products to continue meeting consumer demand, while following legal upcoming legal guidelines.
“As a responsible wholesaler, it’s important that we communicate to our retailers – and now those operating in the wider convenience sector – when they should transition from non-compliant to compliant SKUs as unfortunately ranges are transitioning at different times – and also what the optimum range and planogram they should execute going forward.”
JW Filshill is marking its 150th anniversary in 2025 and has embarked on a raft of activity based around the theme Delivering Success that champions sustainability, innovation, community, and wellbeing.
