To help retailers prepare for the single-use vape ban that will take effect on June 1, 2025, ensure sales compliance, and avoid fines, UK convenience stores have issued a “Guide to the Legal Sale of Vapes.”
The Association of Convenience Stores reported on November 18 that to help retailers cope with the ban on single-use vapes that comes into effect on June 1, 2025, an expanded version of the (ACS) Guidelines for Responsible Sale of vapes has been launched.
Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards jointly produced the guide to provide reliable compliance advice. Convenience stores can use it to learn how to comply with new laws and regulations.
The new guidelines specify that legal vapes must be rechargeable and repeatable rather than single-use from June 1, 2025. After the ban comes into effect, unsalable disposable vapes must be properly disposed of.
After the ban, any business selling single-use vapes will face a fixed fine of £200. If the violations continue, they may be subject to further enforcement action.
According to James Lowman, CEO of the Association of Convenience Stores,
- “The implementation of the ban will have a significant impact on the more than 1,000 retailers that currently sell these products.” We developed this guidance to help retailers make a smooth transition and ensure they stay within the law on June 1.”
James also stressed that to prevent hidden contradictions, retailers need to be well prepared and communicate with customers about the impact of the ban.
The guidance also details retailers’ responsibilities when it comes to recycling vapes, including how to recycle and store used vapes and arrange for regular collection, and provides ways to identify illegal goods to avoid selling opinions to minors, as well as how to use the “Challenge 25” system to support employees.
For the complete guide click: https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/selling-vapes
