Welcome to our dedicated hub for independent retailers focused on the Reduced Risk category. Here you'll find the latest updates on Tobacco and Vape legislation, guidance on responsible retailing, updated range recommendations, and key insights – all to help you protect and maximise this important category.
The Government has introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes key proposals affecting the convenience retail sector. These are:
- A generational ban on tobacco sales to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009.
- Powers to restrict vape and other nicotine products' packaging, flavours, and in-store display.
A new proposal affecting the convenience retail sector is a licensing scheme for retailers selling tobacco and nicotine products, detailed below.
Licensing Scheme for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill proposes a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping and nicotine products.
1. Granting a Licence
- Retailers will need both a premises and personal licence to sell these products.
- Local Authorities can:
- Deny licences based on location (e.g., near schools).
- Limit the number of licences in an area (e.g., maximum of 5 in a town centre).
- Require premises inspections to ensure compliance before granting a licence.
2. Licence Fees
- Licensing authorities may charge application and renewal fees.
- Fees will cover administrative and enforcement costs, with amounts set by regulations.
3. Licence Conditions
- Conditions may be set, such as compliance with age-sale regulations.
- Restrictions could vary based on location.
4. Licence Duration
- Regulations will specify licence duration, renewal, variation, suspension, and revocation procedures.
5. Financial Penalties
- Penalties for non-compliance can reach £2,500, with adjustments for inflation as set by the Secretary of State.
Scotland’s Retail Registration Scheme
- Scotland is not introducing a licensing scheme, but the bill includes regulations requiring retailers selling herbal smoking and nicotine products to follow the same registration requirements as those selling tobacco and vaping products.
Generational Tobacco Ban (Effective January 1, 2027)
The government has introduced a new law banning tobacco sales to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009. Retailers must ensure these customers are never sold:
- Tobacco products
- Herbal smoking products
- Cigarette papers
What This Means for Retailers
From 2027, instead of checking if a customer is 18 or older, retailers will only need to verify if they were born before January 1, 2009.
Required Signage for Retailers by Region
- England: Display an age of sale notice stating, “It is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009” in a visible spot in your store.
- Wales: Display the same English age of sale notice along with the Welsh version: “Mae’n anghyfreithlon gwerthu cynhyrchion tybaco i unrhyw un a anwyd ar neu ar ôl 1 Ionawr 2009.”
- Scotland: Display requirements will be provided by the Scottish Government at a later date.
Penalties
- Retailers can face a £200 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for selling tobacco or vape products to underage customers or for allowing others to purchase these products on behalf of minors.
Vaping and Nicotine Products
The government will soon set regulations for:
- Vape displays: Rules on where and how vape products are displayed and priced in stores.
- Vape flavours: Restrictions on which flavours are allowed, and how flavours are described.
- Vape packaging: Rules on packaging design and presentation.
Note: These details are expected to be finalised following a government consultation in summer 2025.
It is now an offence to have disposable vaping products in your possession for sale, any leftover disposable vaping products from June 1st 2025 must be:
- Stored in stock rooms or back offices, away from the shopfloor
- Clearly separated from other goods and clearly labelled as ‘not for sale’
From 1st June, only the following vaping products will be legally available for sale:
Refillable Design: Any vaping device on the market must have a refillable container (no more than 10ml in size) or a pod system where the pod can be replaced separately.
Rechargeable: All devices must be rechargeable, eliminating the use of disposable, single use vapes.
Replaceable Coils or Pods: If a device contains a coil, it must either be replaceable or housed within a cartridge or pod that can be swapped out when necessary.
What does this mean for retailers?
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.
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.
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. 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.
Reduced Risk Range Recommendations
Retailers can find our best-selling compliant Reduced Risk range recommendations here, which we’ll update regularly throughout the year to reflect market trends.
Recently Added
Compliant
ELF BAR 600 Kit
Watermelon
2ml
ELF BAR 600 Kit
Cherry Ice
2ml
ELF BAR 600 Kit
Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice
2ml
ELF BAR 600 Kit
Blueberry
2ml
ELF BAR 600 Kit
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
2ml
ELF BAR 600 Pod
Banana Ice
2 x 2ml
ELF BAR 600 Pod
Cherry Cola
2 x 2ml
Lost Mary BM600 Kit
Pineapple Ice
2ml
Lost Mary BM600 Kit
Triple Mango
2ml
Lost Mary BM600 Kit
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
2ml
Lost Mary BM600 Kit
Strawberry Ice
2ml
Lost Mary BM600 Kit
Grape
2ml
Lost Mary BM600 Pod
Double Apple
2 x 2ml
SKE BAR 600 Kit
Lemon Lime
2ml
SKE BAR 600 Kit
Cherry Ice
2ml
SKE BAR 600 Kit
Sour Pineapple Ice
2ml
SKE BAR 600 Kit
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
2ml
SKE BAR 600 Kit
Strawberry Burst
2ml
SKE BAR 600 Pod
Blue Razz Lemonade
1 x 2ml
SKE BAR 600 Pod
Watermelon Ice
1 x 2ml
PIXL8000 Kit
Lemon & Lime
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Kit
Cherry Ice
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Kit
Blueberry Sour Razz
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Kit
Pineapple Ice
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Kit
Strawberry Watermelon
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Pod
Blue Magic
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Pod
Rainbow Rush
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Pod
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Pod
Blue Razz Chew
2ml + 10ml
PIXL8000 Pod
Hawaiian Oasis
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Kit
Blue Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Kit
Cherry Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Kit
Pink Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Kit
Strawberry Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Kit
Purple Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Pod
Lime Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Pod
Lemonade Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Pod
Raspberry Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Pod
Fantasy Edition
2ml + 10ml
PIXL DUO Pod
Yellow Edition
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Kit
Strawberry Blue Razz
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Kit
Mad Blue
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Kit
Strawberry Burst
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Kit
Blueberry Raspberry
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Kit
Lemon Blue Lime
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Pod
Sugar Rush
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Pod
Lemon & Lime
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Pod
Cherry Ice
2ml + 10ml
HYOLA8000 Pod
Watermelon
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Kit
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Kit
Fizzy Cherry
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Kit
Blue Razz Lemonade
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Kit
Blueberry Raspberry
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Kit
Strawberry Burst
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Pod
Sour Pineapple
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Pod
Fizzy Cherry
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Pod
Blueberry Raspberry
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Pod
Blue Razz Lemonade
2ml + 10ml
SKE CL6000 Pod
Pink Lemonade
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Kit
Pineapple Ice
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Kit
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Kit
Lemon & Lime
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Kit
Cherry Ice
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Kit
Strawberry Ice
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Pod
Blueberry
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Pod
Grape
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Pod
Triple Mango
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Pod
Double Apple
2ml + 10ml
LOST MARY BM6000 Pod
Watermelon Ice
2ml + 10ml
IVG 2400 Kit
Special Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Kit
Blue Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Kit
Purple Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Kit
Pink Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Kit
Blue Raspberry Ice
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Pod
Cherry Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Pod
Juicy Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Pod
Yellow Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Pod
Fizzy Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG 2400 Pod
Red Edition
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Kit
Blue Raspberry Ice
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Kit
Fizzy Cherry
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Kit
Lemon Lime
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Kit
Pineapple Ice
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Kit
Strawberry Watermelon
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Pod
Strawberry Raspberry Cherry
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Pod
Red Sour Raspberry
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Pod
Strawberry Ice
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Pod
Blue Sour Raspberry
8ml (4 x 2ml)
IVG Pro 12 Pod
Classic Menthol
8ml (4 x 2ml)
JUUL2 Starter Kit
Various
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 Pods
Virginia Tobacco
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 Pods
Crisp Menthol
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 Pods
Polar Menthol
2 x 1.2ml
JUUL2 Pods
Ruby Menthol
2 x 1.2ml
Vuse Pro Device
Vuse Pre-filled epods
Chilled Mint
18mg (2 pack)
Vuse Pre-filled epods
Golden Tobacco
18mg (2 pack)
Vuse Pre-filled pods
Mint Ice
18mg (2 pack)
Vuse Pre-filled pods
Blueberry Ice
20mg (2 pack)
ASPIRE GOTEK X POD KIT
Various
ASPIRE GOTEK X REPLACEMENT PODS
Various
OXVA XLIM PRO
Various
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
10mg
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Cherry
20mg
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice
10mg
ELFLIQ NIC SALTS
Blueberry
10mg
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Lemon and Lime
10mg
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Lemon and Lime
20mg
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Cherry Ice
20mg
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Strawberry Burst
20mg
SKE CRYSTAL NIC SALTS
Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
EDGE E-LIQUID
Very Menthol
6mg
EDGE E-LIQUID
Very Menthol
12mg
EDGE E-LIQUID
Very Menthol
18mg
EDGE E-LIQUID
Forest Fruits
12mg
EDGE E-LIQUID
Strawberry & Watermelon
6mg
ELUX NIC SALTS
Legend Mr Blue
20mg
ELUX NIC SALTS
Legend Lemon & Lime
20mg
ELUX NIC SALTS
Legend Blueberry Sour Raspberry
20mg
ELUX NIC SALTS
Legend Cherry Ice
20mg
ELUX NIC SALTS
Legend Blueberry Raspberry
20mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Grape Ice
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Passion Fruit
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Pear
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Blue Raspberry
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Frosted Ice
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Frosted Mint
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Bubblegum
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Cherry Cola
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Kiwi
50mg
PABLO EXCLUSIVE
Dark Cherry
50mg
KILLA
Cold Mint
16.5mg
KILLA
Grape Ice
16.5mg
KILLA
Cola
16.5mg
KILLA EXCLUSIVE
Blue Raspberry
16.5mg
KILLA EXCLUSIVE
Cherry Cola
16.5mg
VELO
Freezing Peppermint
11mg
VELO
Freezing Peppermint
17mg
VELO
Crispy Peppermint
10mg
VELO
Bright Spearmint
10mg
VELO
Freezing Peppermint
14mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Spearmint X-Strong
11mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Spearmint Strong
9mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Mint Regular
6mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Mint X-Strong
12mg
NORDIC SPIRIT
Mint Strong
9mg
CLEW
Cool Mint
10mg
CLEW
Cool Mint
20mg
CLEW
Spearmint
20mg
CLEW
Menthol
10mg
CLEW
Watermelon
20mg
ZYN
Black Cherry Mini Medium
3mg
ZYN
Black Cherry Mini Strong
6mg
ZYN
Cool Mint Mini Medium
3mg
ZYN
Cool Mint Strong
9.5mg
ZYN
Cool Mint X Strong
11mg
ZYN
Icy Mint XX Strong
12.5mg
ZYN
Icy Mint Strong
9.5mg
ZYN
Cool Mint Mini Strong
6mg
ZYN
Citrus Mini Strong
6mg
ZYN
Espressino Mini Strong
6mg
ZYN
Chili Guava X Strong
11mg
ZYN
Icy Blackcurrant XX Strong
12.5mg
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 Jun24 across 6000 consumers in 300 independent retailers (consisting of unaffiliated, symbol and specialist vape)
Top Legal Big Puff Brands
(2) EPOS data from Vape products from 8900+ UK independent convenience stores
Average Monthly Vape Revenue per Store
The average monthly vape revenue per store in UK convenience has declined by 4.4% over the past six months (Jul – Dec 2024). This decline is driven by consumers shifting from 600-puff disposable devices to larger-fill ‘next-gen’ formats within the ‘Legal Big Puff’ category.(3)
(3) EPOS data from Vape products from 8900+ UK independent convenience stores
Understanding How Legal Big Puffs Are Compliant
Average Monthly Nicotine Pouch Revenue per Store
The nicotine pouch category also contributes to total category growth. While smaller than vapes, they experienced +15.2% growth in the last 6 months (Jul 24 - Dec 24). Also, the average units sold per month per store increased from 25 to 28 over the same period. These products offer a convenient, less harmful alternative to tobacco. (4)
(4) EPOS data from 8900+ UK independent convenience stores
