UK Retailers Criticize New Vape Laws, 95% Fear Small Business Impact
A recent poll commissioned by campaign group We Vape has revealed that an overwhelming majority of UK traders believe the new vape laws, set to be enforced on June 1, will negatively impact small businesses. The survey, which targeted over 800 independent traders and franchises, found that 95% of respondents think the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill will hurt their businesses.
The poll also showed that 80% of shopkeepers believe illegal vape sales will continue even after the disposables ban and certain flavor prohibitions come into effect. Additionally, 98% of the surveyed traders did not support the ban on e-liquid flavors, while 57% were aware of shops already selling illegal products.
When asked if the introduction of a vape tax and proposed flavor restrictions would lead to fewer people visiting their shops to buy vapes, 93% of the business owners answered “yes.” This sentiment was echoed by traders in Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s constituency of Ilford North, where illegal vapes and cigarettes remain easily accessible.
Gurdeep Chahal, owner of Somerville Convenience Store, expressed concerns that the bill could force his shop to close, stating, “The bill is only going to make the problem of illicit products worse here, and I can’t believe my own MP is pushing something that could put me out of business. It’s handing the sale of cigarettes to criminals and is going to make it harder for my customers to move to smoke-free products.“
Megavarnan Piratheepan, who runs three shops and employs nine staff, highlighted the challenges small traders face due to a flurry of new laws, including the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and an increase in national insurance contributions. He emphasized that the government often fails to consult with small businesses before implementing laws that directly affect them, leaving traders with no choice but to pass the costs onto customers.
The survey also revealed that 95% of traders believed a flavor ban would lead to a decrease in sales, while 50% thought it would cause vapers to return to smoking. Furthermore, 49% believe customers would turn to the black market to buy flavored vapes.
In Ilford, investigators easily purchased numerous illicit vapes, many containing more than twice the legal nicotine strength limit of 2%, and were offered packs of twenty cigarettes for just £5, well below the average cost of more than £16.
When asked about their view on the government’s actions in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, 80% of traders responded negatively, with only 4% expressing a positive opinion. A staggering 97% believed that the government should focus on enforcing current laws instead of banning products.
The bill also proposes prohibiting advertising for all nicotine replacement products, despite vapes being provided by the NHS to help smokers quit. Trading Standards will be responsible for issuing £200 on-the-spot fines to retailers who violate the new laws. However, 78% of respondents in the poll did not believe this would be enough to deter rogue traders.
We Vape founder Mark Oates commented on the survey results, stating, “The results of our retailer research and opinions on the ground are shocking but of little surprise considering the impact some areas of the bill will have.” He emphasized the need to prevent the sale of vapes to minors and properly deter rogue traders, but argued that the broad attack on flavors would discourage adult smokers from switching to safer nicotine options and potentially drive them back to smoking or seeking black market alternatives.
Oates urged the government to enforce current laws on vape access and allow responsible advertising to educate the public about vaping as a harm reduction tool, rather than attacking independent businesses and reducing safer nicotine alternatives for smokers.
The poll also revealed that 97% of respondents believed restricting vapes would lead to an increase in cigarette use, and 96% thought vapers would try to source illegal vapes as a result of the proposed restrictions.
Paul Cheema, director of Malcolm’s Stores Costcutter in Coventry, recently wrote an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer, pleading for the future of small retailers and a review of the bill. He emphasized the importance of tobacco and nicotine products to local shops’ sales and questioned the logic of making the transition to safer alternatives harder for smokers while letting local shops pay the price for poorly thought-out legislation.
The Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson defended the government’s actions, stating, “The health advice is clear: vapes can help adult smokers to quit, but children and adults who have never smoked should never vape.” They highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting local retailers and getting Britain’s high street thriving again, citing measures such as a 40% business rates relief next year and a new permanent lower business rate from 2026.
As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill progresses through parliament, the concerns raised by UK retailers and the potential impact on small businesses remain a contentious issue that requires careful consideration and a balanced approach to ensure the well-being of both public health and the economy.
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