Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has written to the Scottish Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater MSP, raising concerns about the impact that a ban on disposable vapes would have on responsible retailers.
The Scottish Government set out its plans to go ahead with a ban on disposable vapes last week with the publication of draft regulations and a two week consultation period. The ban is scheduled to come into force in April 2025.
In the letter, ACS calls on the Scottish Government to properly account for the impact the disposable vapes ban will have on the illicit market and how trading standards teams will be resourced to address this.
New consumer polling shows that almost one in four (24 per cent) existing disposable vape users will continue to use disposables after a ban, with their only option being to source them from the illicit market. The illicit vaping market already accounts for around a third of vapes sold in the UK, with Trading Standards resources unable to meet demand for enforcement visits.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said, “The main impact that a ban on disposable vapes will have on rogue sellers will be to drive more people to seek out their products when they can’t get them from legitimate retailers. We need a clear plan to tackle the illicit market and proper consultation with the retail sector about the impact of the proposed ban.”
