The Impact of the UK Disposable Vape Ban on Sales and Compliance Since June 1st
On 1st June 2025, the UK government implemented a ban on disposable vapes in a bid to tackle youth vaping and reduce environmental waste. Now, nearly two months on, the data paints a stark picture of retail disruption, ongoing compliance challenges, and a shifting nicotine market.
Sales Plummet: £5 Million Lost in a Week
The immediate financial impact was significant. According to data from Talysis and CD:UK, convenience stores lost over £5 million in vape sales in just the first week following the ban, with weekly revenue falling from around £23 million to £17.8 million. This drop was most severe in Scotland losing 36% of revenue.
Meanwhile, areas like Wales and Yorkshire saw smaller dips of around 20%, but the persistence of disposable sales in these regions—especially in Yorkshire where disposables still made up 18% of vape revenue—raises questions about compliance enforcement.
Compliance Under Pressure: Illegal Sales Persist
The Convenience Store article reports that during the first full week of the disposable vape ban (week ending June 8, 2025), over £1 million worth of banned disposable vapes were still sold in UK convenience stores. It also notes that average prices remained steady, showing there were no significant discounting of these illegal items.
This highlights a crucial compliance issue. While most retailers acted swiftly to remove stock, a small portion appear to be undermining both the spirit and the letter of the legislation - intentionally or otherwise. The effectiveness of Trading Standards and local enforcement bodies is now in the spotlight, particularly in regions where illegal sales remained high.
Market Shift: Reusables and Pods on the Rise
With disposables out of the equation, retailers and consumers are turning to alternatives. Sales of smaller 2 ml reusable vapes rose by 11%, seemingly replacing the disposable vape for a number of users. We’re seeing the reusable vape market shift, with products such as these now available for around £5.99 - a similar price to a disposable before the ban.
Also larger 10+2ml kits increased by 24% in value. Pod systems saw a 21% increase, and oral nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches, grew by 5%.
However, these gains have not yet compensated for the loss of disposable sales. Many consumers are still navigating the transition, and retailers are recalibrating their product ranges and merchandising strategies to match new demand.
Challenges for Retailers
Retailers have faced a steep learning curve, needing to adjust quickly to legal changes while keeping up with shifting consumer behaviour. For stores without advanced Electronic Point of Sale (EPoS) systems—software that records sales data in real time and helps track inventory and trends—or access to real-time sales analytics, managing stock levels and identifying high-performing new products is particularly challenging.
There is also a reputational and legal risk. With enforcement efforts increasing—backed by a £30 million government investment in Trading Standards to enforce the ban—retailers continuing to sell disposables, knowingly or not, risk fines and sanctions. Proactive compliance is now more important than ever.
Turning Compliance into Competitive Advantage
Retailers who embrace the ban and invest in education and legal alternatives have an opportunity to position themselves as trusted, responsible sellers. Staff training, customer support on new devices, and offering refillable options can help regain customer trust and loyalty.
There’s also value in using compliance as a point of difference. Clear signage, knowledgeable staff, and clear communication about the law can reinforce a retailer’s commitment to safety and legality—particularly as scrutiny grows.
Looking Ahead
While it’s still early days, the long-term impact of the disposable vape ban will depend on several factors: how quickly consumers adapt, how effectively enforcement is scaled, and whether reusable alternatives can fully fill the sales void.
For Serve Legal and the wider compliance landscape, the next few months will be critical. Vigilance, education, and support for retailers will be essential to ensure the ban is not only observed—but effective. If you need support ensuring you're compliant with the ban, get in touch here.
