Ban on one-off vape in UK to add? 645 million to black market

The UK government will ban single-use e-cigarettes from April 1, 2025, and the Association of British Convenience Stores (ACS) said the government should focus on effective enforcement in the future to deal with the large-scale illegal trade of e-cigarettes. If the ban comes into force next year, the black market for disposable e-cigarettes will be even more prosperous, with the illegal trade likely to increase by 645 million pounds.

According to a public opinion poll of existing e-cigarette users, nearly a quarter (24%) will continue to use disposable e-cigarettes after the ban.Their only access to these products is the black market, which alone costs the convenience store industry £645 million a year in sales.

The ACS Chief Executive said:“Banning something doesn’t mean it no longer exists, If governments are truly committed to keeping children out of single-use e-cigarettes, then they should focus on fighting the illegal trade and enforcing existing laws to keep children out of these products.”

The ACS is encouraging retailers everywhere to contact their members of Congress to highlight their concerns about the one-time e-cigarette ban and the impact it will have on their business.