Scottish Retailers Warn Vape Display Ban Will Fuel Black Market Trade

Convenience store owners across Scotland are warning that government proposals to force vaping products behind closed shutters will expand the illicit trade network. The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) voiced these concerns during the ongoing Tobacco and vapes packaging, appearance and display consultation, which runs until October 2.

Retailers Fear Display Bans Will Push Vapers Underground

The consultation seeks views on new rules covering product packaging, flavor restrictions, and retail display methods. Prominent SGF members argue that treating vapes like combustible tobacco by hiding them behind cabinet shutters will have dangerous consequences for public safety.

Ryan Hutchison, a Spar operator in Perthshire whose family has run a convenience store for nearly 70 years, highlighted the risks of taking products out of sight:

“I think it will push people underground. There’s a real risk that they will get vapes which might not be regulated or the right product – as well as the risk that those illicit traders sell to children.”

Saleem Sadiq, who has operated a Spar store in Renfrew for over three decades, added that illegal sellers operate without scruples. “A display ban is only going to accelerate the situation we already face,” Sadiq stated.

SGF Calls for Practical and Workable Vape Regulations

The SGF supports reducing youth vaping but argues that regulations must remain workable without penalizing law-abiding businesses. SGF chief executive Pete Cheema stressed that responsible shopkeepers play an active role in enforcing age-verification policies.

“Proposals to place vaping products behind shutters could make legal products less convenient to buy without reducing underlying demand,” Cheema said. “Instead, they risk creating opportunities for illicit traders and diverting sales from responsible retailers who operate within the law. We believe that a retail display ban is a step too far.”

The UK Government is hosting the consultation in coordination with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The SGF will submit a formal response through its Healthier Choices, Healthier Communities campaign, urging ministers to avoid measures that inadvertently benefit criminal networks.

Read more: How Do Countries Enforce Tobacco Display Bans at Retail?

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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.