Plan for Profit’s promise has always been to offer expert support and guidance to independent retailers. In keeping with this, and in order to start preparing retailers for the changes coming to the tobacco and vape category, Plan for Profit has decided to remove all reduced risk from their suggested core range for 2024.
Here, you'll find updates on tobacco and vaping legislation, including the proposed ban on disposable vaping products due to be applicable from April 1, 2025. Additionally, we'll provide updated range recommendations throughout the year to help retailers prepare for the proposed ban and transition to compliant alternatives.
The Government has published the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, stating that there will be a ban on selling tobacco products to people born on or after January 1st, 2009.
The Bill gives the Secretary of State the power to bring in various restrictions on the vaping category, covering different areas such as:
- The production or import of vaping products.
- Appearance of packaging (shape, size, how the packaging is opened).
- Materials, colours, and texture of packaging.
- The number of products in an individual packet.
- Flavours of vaping products including how those flavours are described.
With the change in government, there are no specific details on how the Labour Party plans to proceed with the Tobacco and Vaping Bill. It is unclear which restrictions they intend to implement or the timeline for introducing those restrictions.
What does this mean for retailers?
Although the Bill has been introduced, we're still waiting for specifics on how the Government plans to regulate the vaping market. The ban on disposable vapes is proposed to start on 1st April 2025, requiring retailers to review their range to feature only compliant vaping alternatives. However, the timeline for additional vaping restrictions remains uncertain. You can find more information here once further announcements are made.
On January 29th, 2024, the UK Government, Scotland, and Wales confirmed they will introduce legislation to ban disposable vapes. A transition period of at least six months for businesses will be provided before the regulations come into force, and a future import ban will be considered.
The draft regulations set out a ban on the supply and sale of disposable vapes and propose that the ban comes into force on 1st April 2025.
The regulations make it illegal for businesses to supply single use vapes, whether for sale or for free. This includes offering to supply or possessing single use vapes with the intent to supply.
A single use vape is a product that is not designed or intended to be re-used. For vaping products to be deemed compliant and not fall under the ban, they must be refillable and rechargeable:
Refillable: The product must either include a single-use container that can be purchased separately and replaced or have a container that can be refilled.
Rechargeable: A vape is not considered rechargeable if it contains a battery that can't be recharged, and it has a coil that can't be replaced by the user. If the coil is part of a single-use cartridge, it must be available for purchase separately.
What does this mean for retailers?
We understand that many retailers currently have significant stock of disposable vapes that need to be sold before the proposed implementation date of April 1, 2025. As ranges shift to alternative non-disposable systems due to the ban on disposable products, retailers must begin to self-regulate by introducing compliant products with responsible flavours, packaging, and marketing tactics, while phasing out disposable products ahead of the ban. Failure to do so, especially considering the ongoing issue of underage vaping, may lead to further significant restrictions.
This section explains how to responsibly source and sell vapes (e-cigarettes), which heat a nicotine-containing liquid to create an aerosol.
In the UK, e-cigarettes are strictly regulated for safety and quality. The Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 set the minimum standards and processes for tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and herbal smoking products in the European Union.
These controls aim to ensure:
- Minimum safety and quality standards for all e-cigarettes and refill containers
- Accurate consumer information for informed decision-making
- Protection to prevent children from starting to use these products
Vapes must be notified to the MHRA before being legally sold in the UK. When sourcing new products, check the Notified Product lists on the MHRA website. If a product is not listed, it cannot be sold in the UK.
Vapes must meet strict requirements to be sold in the UK market legally. Ensure the products you stock comply with these requirements by checking the following:
For more information on selling vapes responsibly, visit the ACS website, and download the 'Selling Vapes Responsibly' guide.
E-cigarettes are legally age-restricted products, and the minimum age for purchase is 18. Any retailer who sells an e-cigarette to someone under 18 is committing an offence, and both the business owner and the staff member who made the sale can be penalised.
Plan for Profit recommends using Challenge 25 policies for all age-restricted sales. Challenge 25 is based on two simple principles:
Staff Training: All staff should be trained to 'think 25'. If a customer looks like they might be under 25 and is attempting to buy an age-restricted product, the staff member should ask for valid proof of age. If the identification confirms the customer is over the legal age for purchasing that product, the sale can proceed.
Clear Communication: The store policy should be clearly communicated to customers, typically through visible in-store signage.
Additionally, it is an offence for an adult to purchase nicotine inhaling products on behalf of someone underage, commonly known as a ‘proxy sale’. Adopting a consistent approach to identifying and preventing proxy sales across all age-restricted products is recommended.
For more information on selling vapes responsibly, visit the ACS website, and download the 'Selling Vapes Responsibly' guide.
Starting from March 31st, 2024, all retailers selling vapes are legally required to provide their customers with a recycling bin for vaping products. Also, you must display information in your stores about the vape collection service you offer and how it can be used.
You're required to accept returns of vapes that provide similar functions to the ones you sell, regardless of the brand. If your store sells only one brand of disposable vapes, you must accept returns of all types of disposable vapes. This service must be provided free of charge. However, if a customer tries to return an illegal vape to your store, you can refuse to accept it.
Retailers must adhere to additional activities and rules when storing vapes, arranging in-store collections, and maintaining records. For detailed guidance on recycling vapes, ACS has produced a comprehensive guide. Please download the 'Selling Vapes Responsibly' guide for more information.
This range has been collated and endorsed by Vape Supplier Ltd (VSL), the UK's leading/largest vape distributor. VSL are Plan for Profits "reduced risk" category partner and are able to support all retailers with category expertise & data insights. Should you need any more information or need assistance stocking any of these SKU's please reach out to Colin McAlpine or Gary Routledge.
Colin McAlpine: colin@vapesupplier.co.uk / 07538 401617
Gary Routledge: gary.routledge@vapesupplier.co.uk / 07538 401648
Reduced Risk Range Recommendations
We'll continually update our product recommendations to assist retailers in preparing for the upcoming disposable ban and transitioning to compliant alternatives before its proposed enforcement date on April 1st, 2025.
Compliant Vaping Product
Non-Compliant Vaping Product
Each product in this range recommendation will show whether it is currently compliant or non-compliant with the ban. If any Legal Big-Puff devices are found to be non-compliant, they will be updated with a soft-change and replaced with compliant products in late 2024 or early 2025. To understand what makes a product compliant, please refer to the 'Future Proof Your Vape Category Guide'.
SKE CRYSTAL BAR 600
Lemon & Lime
20mg
2ml
SKE CRYSTAL BAR 600
Cherry Ice
20mg
2ml
SKE CRYSTAL BAR 600
Sour Pineapple Ice
20mg
2ml
SKE CRYSTAL BAR 600
Fizzy Cherry
20mg
2ml
SKE CRYSTAL BAR 600
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
2ml
LOST MARY BM600
Pineapple Ice
20mg
2ml
LOST MARY BM600
Cherry Ice
20mg
2ml
LOST MARY BM600
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
2ml
LOST MARY BM600
Strawberry Ice
20mg
2ml
LOST MARY BM600
Double Apple
20mg
2ml
ELF BAR 600 V1
Watermelon
20mg
2ml
ELF BAR 600 V1
Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice
20mg
2ml
ELF BAR 600 V1
Cherry
20mg
2ml
ELF BAR 600 V1
BlueBerry
20mg
2ml
ELF BAR 600 V1
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
2ml
GOLD BAR
Blue Raspberry
20mg
2ml
GOLD BAR
Summer Berries
20mg
2ml
GOLD BAR
Lemon Ice
20mg
2ml
GOLD BAR
Raspberry Watermelon
20mg
2ml
GOLD BAR
Hawaiian Sunrise
20mg
2ml
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 2400
White Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 2400
Rose Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 2400
Green Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 2400
Blue Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 2400
Lemon & Lime
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 POD
White Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 POD
Rose Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 POD
Green Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 POD
Blue Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
SKE CRYSTAL 4 IN 1 POD
Ultimate Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 4 IN 1 POD
Blue Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 4 IN 1 POD
Cherry Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 4 IN 1 POD
Lemon Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 4 IN 1 POD
Pineapple Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 4 IN 1 POD
Pink Edition
20mg
8ml (4 x 2ml)
ELF BAR AF5000
Watermelon Ice
20mg
2ml + 10ml
ELF BAR AF5000
Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice
20mg
2ml + 10ml
ELF BAR AF5000
Cherry Ice
20mg
2ml + 10ml
ELF BAR AF5000
Blueberry Ice
20mg
2ml + 10ml
ELF BAR AF5000
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
2ml + 10ml
PIXL6000
Lemon & Lime
20mg
2ml + 10ml
PIXL6000
Cherry Ice
20mg
2ml + 10ml
PIXL6000
Blueberry Sour Razz
20mg
2ml + 10ml
PIXL6000
Pineapple Ice
20mg
2ml + 10ml
PIXL6000
Cola Lime
20mg
2ml + 10ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS POD KIT
Lemon & Lime
20mg
1 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS POD KIT
Cherry Ice
20mg
1 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS POD KIT
Kiwi Passion Fruit Guava
20mg
1 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS POD KIT
Blueberry Raspberry
20mg
1 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS POD KIT
Grey & Blue Fusion
20mg
1 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS PREFILLED PODS
Cherry Ice
20mg
2 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS PREFILLED PODS
Lemon & Lime
20mg
2 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS PREFILLED PODS
Blue Razz Lemonade
20mg
2 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS PREFILLED PODS
Cherry Strawberry Raspberry
20mg
2 x 2ml
SKE CRYSTAL PLUS PREFILLED PODS
Strawberry Burst
20mg
2 x 2ml
ELFA PRO POD KIT
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
1 x 2ml
ELFA PRO POD KIT
Blue Razz Lemonade
20mg
1 x 2ml
ELFA PRO POD KIT
Pink Lemonade
20mg
1 x 2ml
ELFA PRO POD KIT
Kiwi Passion Guava
20mg
1 x 2ml
ELFA PRO POD KIT
Apple Peach
20mg
1 x 2ml
ELFA PRO PREFILLED PODS
Blue Razz Lemonade
20mg
2 x 2ml
ELFA PRO PREFILLED PODS
Blueberry Bubblegum
20mg
2 x 2ml
ELFA PRO PREFILLED PODS
Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice
20mg
2 x 2ml
ELFA PRO PREFILLED PODS
Banana
20mg
2 x 2ml
ELFA PRO PREFILLED PODS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
2 x 2ml
JUUL2 STARTER KIT
Various
18mg
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 PODS
Virginia Tobacco
18mg
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 PODS
Crisp Menthol
18mg
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 PODS
Polar Menthol
18mg
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 PODS
Ruby Menthol
18mg
2 x 1.2ml
VUSE PRO DEVICE KIT
1 x 1.9ml
VUSE PRO PODS
Chilled Mint
18mg
2 x 1.9ml
VUSE PRO PODS
Golden Tobacco
18mg
2 x 1.9ml
VUSE PRO PODS
Very Berry
18mg
2 x 1.9ml
VUSE PRO PODS
Blueberry Ice
20mg
2 x 1.9ml
ASPIRE GOTEK X POD KIT
Various
ASPIRE GOTEK X REPLACEMENT PODS
Various
XL
ASPIRE GOTEK X REPLACEMENT PODS
Various
2ml
OXVA XLIM PRO
Various
2ml
MARYLIQ NIC SALTS
Pineapple Ice
20mg
10ml
MARYLIQ NIC SALTS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
10ml
MARYLIQ NIC SALTS
Double Apple
20mg
10ml
MARYLIQ NIC SALTS
Cherry Ice
20mg
10ml
MARYLIQ NIC SALTS
Tropical Island
20mg
10ml
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
10mg
10ml
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
10ml
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Blue Razz Lemonade
20mg
10ml
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Watermelon
20mg
10ml
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Cherry
20mg
10ml
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Lemon and Lime
10mg
10ml
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Lemon and Lime
20mg
10ml
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Cherry Ice
20mg
10ml
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Strawberry Burst
20mg
10ml
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
10ml
EDGE E-LIQUID
Very Menthol
6mg
10ml
EDGE E-LIQUID
Very Menthol
12mg
10ml
EDGE E-LIQUID
Very Menthol
18mg
10ml
EDGE E-LIQUID
Forest Fruits
12mg
10ml
EDGE E-LIQUID
Strawberry & Watermelon
6mg
10ml
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Grape Ice
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Frosted Mint
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Frosted Ice
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Passion Fruit
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Kiwi
50mg
KILLA
Grape Ice
16.5mg
KILLA
Cold Mint Extra Strong
16.5mg
KILLA
Cold X Mint Extra Strong
16.5mg
KILLA
13
16.5mg
KILLA
Cola Extra Strong
16.5mg
VELO
Freezing Peppermint
11mg
VELO
Crispy Peppermint
10mg
VELO
Freezing Peppermint
17mg
VELO
Ruby Berry
10mg
VELO
Peppermint Storm
10.9mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Spearmint
11mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Mint
12mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Mint
6mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Spearmint
9mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Mint
9mg
Vaping Consumer Trends
While disposables currently drive the majority of sales in convenience stores, their percentage of usage is declining. Legal Big Puff is now the fastest-growing vaping subcategory, driven by consumer trends and advancing technologies. Our range recommendations showcase the top-selling brands and flavours to stock.
(1) Data surveyed from Jul23 to Mar24 across 6000 consumers in 300 independent retailers (consisting of unaffiliated, symbol and specialist vape)
Understanding How Legal Big Puffs Are Compliant
Nicotine Pouches
While nicotine pouches are a smaller category compared to vapes, they experienced +23% growth in the first 6 months of 2024. These products also offer a convenient, less harmful alternative to tobacco. Our range recommendations highlight the best-selling brands and flavours to stock.
Retail Data Partnership EPOS data x 8900+ UK Independent retail stores
