ACS Vaping Guide Assists Retailers with Disposables Ban

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has launched an expanded version of its Selling Vapes Responsibly guide to help retailers navigate the upcoming ban on disposable vapes, set to take effect on June 1, 2025. The new guidance provides clear information on the features that vapes must have to remain legal for sale after the ban, as well as instructions on handling unsold disposable vapes when the ban comes into force.

Legal Requirements for Vapes from June 1, 2025

From June 1, 2025, vapes must be chargeable and refillable to be legal for sale. Disposable vapes, designed for single use and limited to 2ml of vape liquid, will no longer be permitted. Retailers who continue to sell disposable vapes after the ban takes effect could face a £200 fixed-penalty notice and further enforcement action for repeated violations.

Also Read:
England to Ban Single-Use Disposable Vapes from June 2025

ACS Guidance Aims to Ensure Compliance and Smooth Transition

James Lowman, ACS chief executive, emphasizes the importance of the guide in helping retailers transition smoothly and avoid legal issues. “We have produced this guide to help retailers with the transition and ensure that nobody falls on the wrong side of the law on 1 June,” Lowman states. He also stresses the need for retailers to communicate the implications of the ban to customers to prevent potential confrontations or issues in-store.

Assured Advice Provides Confidence for Retailers

The ACS guide, produced in collaboration with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards, offers assured advice that ACS members can rely on to comply with the new regulations. Lowman notes, “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.”

Vape Take-Back Service and Identifying Illicit Products

Since the beginning of 2024, retailers who sell vapes have been required to provide a take-back service for customers on at least a “one for one” basis, allowing customers to return a vape when purchasing a new one. The ACS guide outlines the requirements for taking back used vapes, storing them, and arranging for regular collection for recycling.

The guide also includes advice on identifying illicit products, with information on packaging and where to check the list of legitimate products, as well as guidance on preventing under-age sales and implementing Challenge 25.

The full guide, as well as posters for retailers to display in their stores to communicate the ban to customers, are available from www.acs.org.uk/advice/selling-vapes

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.