Retailers in the UK are unhappy with new regulations on vapes coming into force, with 95% believing they will hurt small businesses. Ninety-five percent of respondents believe a ban on flavors would lead to a drop in sales, while 50 percent believe it would drive vape users back to smoking, with businesses calling on the government to enforce the law rather than ban the product.
Key points:
1. UK retailers are not happy with new regulations on vapes, with 95% believing they will hurt small businesses.
2. The survey pointed out that most respondents believe that the taste ban may lead to a decline in sales and users returning to smoking, and businesses want to strengthen law enforcement rather than banning sales.
3. The British government said that vapes can help smokers quit smoking, but to prevent minors from becoming addicted, it will end advertising and implement a new permanent lower business tax in 2026.
UK survey on new vape rules: 98% of businesses oppose flavor ban
According to the Daily Mail on March 16, retailers in the constituency of British Health Secretary Wes Streeting are unhappy with the new regulations on vapes, and a poll shows that 95% of British businesses think the regulations will hurt small businesses.
According to the survey, 80% of retailers believe that shopkeepers will continue to sell illegal vapes even after the single-use vape ban comes into effect on June 1 and bans certain flavors as part of the Tobacco and vape Act. Ninety-eight percent of respondents disapprove of banning flavored vape liquids, and 57 percent are aware of the sale of illegal products in stores. 93% of respondents said that with the introduction of vape taxes and proposed taste restrictions, fewer users will buy vapes.
The survey, commissioned by We Vape, polled more than 800 independent merchants and franchises through industry and trade show WhatsApp groups to gather views on the upcoming bill and its impact on small businesses. The data, which received responses from 167 companies, is considered the most comprehensive study of retailers for the government’s plan to create a smoke-free generation.
95% worried about the impact on their business
The survey also showed that 95% of respondents believe the taste ban will lead to a drop in sales, while 50% believe it will drive vape users back to smoking. In addition, 49% believe that customers will buy flavored vape products from the black market.
Investigators bought dozens of illegal vapes in Ilford, many of which contained more than twice the legal nicotine concentration limit of 2%, and sold them in packs of 20 for £5. The average price of a standard packet of vapes is more than £16. The survey asked businesses how they felt about the UK government’s work on the Tobacco and vape Bill, and 80% of businesses had a negative opinion, 15% said they were neutral and only 4% were positive.
Some 97 percent of respondents believe the government should focus on “enforcing existing laws” rather than banning products.
The new measures will also ban all advertising of nicotine replacement products, and Trading Standards will impose on-the-spot fines of £200 on retailers who breach the new rules. According to the survey, 78 percent believe this is not enough to stop unscrupulous businessmen.
Mark Oates, the founder of We Vape, said,
- “The findings are shocking, but not surprising given the impact of some areas of the bill. We can’t let kids buy vapes, but this plan, which tries to crack down on taste to protect minors, will discourage adults from switching to safer products. The government should strengthen enforcement of existing laws and educate the public through responsible advertising.”
According to the survey, 97 percent of respondents believe the ban on single-use vapes, which took effect in June, will lead to an increase in cigarette use. 96% of respondents said they would seek illegal vapes as a result of the proposed restrictions.
Last month, Paul Cheema, director of Malcolm’s Stores Costcutte in Coventry, wrote to the prime minister. Sir Keir Starmer, calling for a focus on the future of small retailers and a review of the bill.
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said,
- “Health advice is clear that vapes can help adults quit smoking, but minors and adults who have never smoked should not use vapes. We are delivering on our commitment to end vape advertising to prevent future generations from becoming addicted to nicotine, and will develop guidelines to support retailers through these changes.”
- “It is vital that we support local retailers and get Britain’s high streets thriving again. This government is committed to doing just that – with a 40% business tax cut starting next year and a new, permanent lower business rate from 2026.”
The Tobacco and vape Bill is currently at a parliamentary committee stage before going to the House of Lords for consideration.
