Ahead of the UK-wide ban on single-use vapes on 1 June 2025, with retailers required to clear any remaining stock by that date, Glasgow-based wholesaler JW Filshill is encouraging its customers to act now to ensure they are prepared for its implementation.
This includes ensuring that all remaining stocks of single-use vapes are sold before 1 June and purchasing only vapes that adhere to the new regulations. Retailers with any single-use vapes in their possession after 1 June they will not be able to sell them and must ensure they are disposed of safely.
To help retailers fully understand the new legislation and be prepared, Filshill’s category manager responsible solely for the tobacco and vape categories, Derek Cowan, has compiled a comprehensive guide outlining what businesses need to know and how to prepare for the transition.
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.
“However, government legislation can be cumbersome and complicated for busy business owners and their staff to navigate, which is why we have put together our comprehensive guide to what is required of them ahead of the 1 June deadline.
“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 guide should be studied by all retailers and staff who sell vapes to help them understand the many aspects of this upcoming legislation.
“Retailers requiring more help or advice are also urged to contact their KeyStore business development manager as soon as possible.”
Within the guide, there are sections 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.
It also crucial for stores to phase out disposable vape stock as soon as possible before replacing it with long-term, compliant alternatives, Cowan urged. “Retailers should start transitioning their stock now, reducing the number of disposables on sale and keeping only the fastest-selling lines,” he said.
