Will it fuel the black market, bring in new devices, or help the election... Industry reactions to t

On January 29, the UK government announced a comprehensive ban on the sale of disposable vaping devices. Afterwards, 2Firsts spoke with several industry professionals in the UK vaping market to learn their views on the ban.

[2Firsts Original] On January 29, the UK government announced a full ban on the sale of disposable vaping devices and restrictions on the flavors of refillable vaping devices. In response, 2Firsts spoke with several professionals in the UK vaping market to learn their views on the ban.
 

Some industry insiders believe the UK already has a large illicit market dominated by high-puff-count vaping devices, and implementing the disposable vape ban may cause the black market to flourish again and push black market prices higher.

On the other hand, some insiders believe that banning disposable vaping devices in the UK is only a matter of time. Disposable vapes are seen as a transitional product with limitations in both user experience and performance, while open-system and pod-system vaping devices are regarded as the future market trend.

At the same time, some industry players working on open-system and pod-system products believe the ban on disposable vapes will undoubtedly create new opportunities for open systems, pod systems, and e-liquid. Some companies involved in open-system devices also said their brands plan to launch new open-system devices in the UK market in 2024, expand their product lines, and add an e-liquid business.
 

Regarding the specific details of the ban, the UK government has not yet disclosed much information, and the implementation date remains to be determined. In addition, the government will also restrict vape flavors and packaging, and some professionals believe another round of public consultation may be held.

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said on social media that they were disappointed by the government’s decision to ban disposable vaping devices. They believe that while preventing young people from accessing vaping devices is crucial, this decision appears more like a desperate move by the government ahead of the upcoming general election, made without considering vape users.

UKVIA said that if the government thinks banning disposable vapes will help protect young people, it is completely misguided. This counterproductive regulation will drive the black market, quickly put children at greater risk, and make it easier for them to access illegal and non-compliant vaping devices. The answer to youth vaping is not counterproductive bans and restrictions, but effective and proactive enforcement of the law (which is sorely lacking), which makes it illegal to sell vaping devices to minors.