ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has launched an
extended version of its ‘Selling Vapes Responsibly' guide to
support retailers with the transition away from disposable vapes
ahead of a ban on the products on June 1st 2025. The guide is
produced with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards as assured
advice, which means that ACS members can rely on this advice and
the interpretations of how to comply with the new regulations.
The new guidance outlines the features that vapes need to have to
be legal for sale from June 1st, as well as what to do with any
disposable vapes that are unsold when the ban comes into force.
Vapes that are legal to sell from June 1st must be chargeable and
refillable, as opposed to disposable vapes which are intended for
a single use and are limited to 2ml of vape liquid.
Anyone selling disposable vapes from June 1st 2025 could be
subject to a £200 fixed penalty notice, followed by further
enforcement action if illicit activity continues.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The introduction of a ban
on disposable vapes next year will mark a major change for
thousands of retailers that currently stock these products. We
have produced this guide to help retailers with the transition
and ensure that nobody falls on the wrong side of the law on June
1st. It is important that any retailer selling vapes not only
prepares themselves for the change, but also communicates with
customers on the implications of the ban to avoid any potential
confrontations or flashpoints in store.
“By having this advice assured as part of our award-winning
scheme with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards, retailers can
have confidence that following this guidance will see them
operating legally and without fear of prosecution.”
Circular Economy Minister said: “Single-use vapes are a
major source of litter and waste precious resources, which is why
we are banning them from June 2025.We are working with local
authorities, trading standards, and industry organisations to
help businesses prepare for the ban, and we welcome this guidance
to support the transition.”
The Government is introducing the ban to deal with the millions
of disposable vapes that are thrown away every week. These
products contain lithium batteries which are important to
recycle, not just because they are a limited resource but because
they are a potential fire risk if sent to landfill.
Since the start of 2024, retailers who sell vapes have been
required to provide a takeback service for customers on a minimum
of a ‘one for one' basis (a customer can return a vape when they
purchase a new one). ACS' guide sets out all of the requirements
on retailers when taking back used vapes, storing them in their
business and arranging for regular collection so that they can be
recycled.
The Selling Vapes Responsibly guide also includes advice for
retailers on how to spot an illicit product, with information on
all of the things to look out for on the packaging and where to
check the list of legitimate products, as well as advice on
preventing underage sales and the use of Challenge25 to support
colleagues.
The full guide, as well as posters for retailers to display in
their store to communicate the ban to customers, are available
here: https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/selling-vapes
