Nicotine pouches are rising in popularity in the UK, with sales volumes increasing by 93% from 2023 to 2024, with this trend expected to continue.

Currently a legal loophole means there is no minimum age restriction on those wanting to buy nicotine pouches, meaning as a result they could be purchased by children and young people. It is expected that the incoming Tobacco & Vapes Bill will address this issue and close this loophole, with retailers urged to act responsibly and not sell these products to those who are underage.

The disposable vape ban is certainly impacting consumer behaviour, forcing disposable vape users to quit or seek alternative products, but what other factors are encouraging UK residents towards nicotine pouches?

Research from Northerner, part of the Haypp Group shows that the most common reason people started using nicotine pouches was to quit smoking, with 57% per cent of respondents saying this was their main motivation, with 95% said they felt better since making the switch to pouches. The Haypp customer survey was conducted with 1581 nicotine pouch customers across the UK.

According to pouch users in Northern Ireland, the three main advantages of using pouches compared to other nicotine products are that they’re more discreet (69%), they feel healthier (69%) and they’re cheaper (57%).

The majority of users in Northern Ireland typically purchase around three cans per week, according to Northerner, while the average age of pouch users is around 40.

According to pouch users throughout the UK, the main advantages of nicotine pouches over other nicotine products are that they are more discreet (68%), feel healthier (64%) and don’t affect others (54%). On average, users typically purchased around three cans per week, with mint being the most popular flavour.

Nicotine pouches have made headlines recently, with stories about product packaging and flavours being targeted at youth. This research shows the average nicotine pouch user is 33 years old.

Markus Lindblad, from Northerner,said: “Following the disposable vape ban here in the UK, we anticipated a rise in nicotine pouch use as vape users transitioned to alternative products.

“We expect the increase in nicotine pouch use to continue as more people become aware of them as an alternative to smoking. There is a legal loophole that means that there is no minimum age to purchase nicotine pouches.

“This loophole will be closed by the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in due course, but until then, it’s critical that access to these products is limited to adult nicotine users, and it’s up to responsible retailers to make sure this is the case. Online retailers and brick-and-mortar store retailers must act responsibly until the loophole is closed.”

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Similarly, 31% of those surveyed said they will not stop vaping, but will switch to refillable vapes instead.

The study, conducted by Confused.com, surveyed 500 adults across the UK who vape, to establish if the ban on the sale and supply of disposable vapes, starting on 1^st June, will affect their smoking habits.

Nearly one in five (18%) of UK vapers surveyed plan to use alternative nicotine products to manage their addiction, while almost a quarter (24%) will switch to refillable vapes.

Looking at Northern Ireland figures, 46% stated they had started vaping to stop smoking but still smoke now, while 15% said they are currently trying to quit vaping.

Notably, 15% of vapers in the region said they would plan to stop vaping when the ban comes into force and would use cigarettes instead, with 8% saying they would use nicotine pouches instead.

In terms of adequate support being available for people trying to stop vaping, 31% of Northern Ireland vapers surveyed said they felt the support available was more than adequate, with 38% stating describing it as adequate.

Additionally, 67% of Northern Ireland vapers spend between £10 and £15 per week on vaping, with 8% spending less than £10.

1.65 million people in the UK are currently using disposable vapes, with the study revealing one in five (19%) vapers could go back to smoking.

According to the wider data for UK respondents, nearly three in 10 (29%) people who started to vape to help them stop smoking, no longer smoke at all. One in three vapers (33%) started between the ages of 18 and 25, while one in 50 (2%) were under 18. Around one in five (21%) began between ages 21 and 30, around one in six (17%) between 31 and 40, and just under three in 10 (28%) started at 41 or older.  Interestingly, the most popular starting age for both men (33%) and women (33%) is 18 to 25.

Around three in five (59%) vapers are spending up to £20 per week on disposables, whilst one in 33 (3%) are spending more than £50. The age group 35 to 44-year-olds are spending the most on disposables, with nearly one in five (19%) claiming they spend up to £30 per week.

The highest percentage of people spending more than £50 per week falls into the 25 to 34-year-old category – just over one in 20 (6%).

Although disposable vaping products will be banned, refillable vapes will be available, with nearly one in four (24%) saying they will switch to those instead. One in four men (27%) plan on switching to refillable vapes, compared to one in five (21%) women.

Life insurance expert at Confused.com, Tom Vaughan said it was “refreshing to see many people who vape intend to use the ban as a springboard to try and quit permanently”.

“Particularly with the financial and health implications of maintaining the habit. We’ve had a significant increase in smokers’ policies for life insurance, which are extremely important for family security and future prospects,” added Tom.

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The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has warned that time is rapidly running out for retailers to ensure they are fully prepared for next month’s single use vapes ban, and NI retailers have more reason than their GB counterparts to take note.

Director General of the UKVIA, John Dunne told NR that not everyone is aware that simply having old stock on their premises could also leave them open to prosecution.

“Even if traders can show that they have no intention of selling the old stock and are making arrangements for it to be disposed of responsibly, this is not enough,” said John Dunne.

“To avoid the possibility of a fine, the old stock must be separated from other goods, labelled as unsellable and removed from the shopfloor or online store. And while in England, Scotland and Wales, retailers can initially expect no more than a £200 fixed penalty for offences under the new law, there are no civil penalties available in Northern Ireland.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) warns retailers: “In Northern Ireland, the enforcement mechanism will be different from other parts of the UK. There are no civil sanctions for this offence and the following penalties will apply.

“If you’re found guilty of supplying, offering to supply or having in your possession to supply single use vapes, you may receive a fine of up to £5,000 on summary conviction in a magistrates’ court. On further conviction of this offence in a Crown Court, you may face a prison sentence of up to two years, a fine, or both.

“If you fail to provide information that an enforcement body asks for, you may receive a fine on summary conviction of up to £5,000 in a Magistrates’ Court.”

John Dunne said the fact that penalties are 25 times higher than the rest of the UK should act as a wake-up call for any Northern Ireland retailer to ensure they will be fully compliant from 1^st June.

“There is still time to get everything in order, but immediate action is needed to help ensure a smooth transition,” added John.

“Luckily Defra have produced a very handy guide for the retail sector – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/single-use-vapes-ban – which walks them through the key aspects of the legislation, including detailed information on exactly what constitutes a single-use and reusable vape for the purposes of the new law.

“It also contains information on other restrictions on vaping products, gives information on recycling vapes and what action must be taken if retailers have stock of single use vapes from 1^st June.

“Now is the time to sell through all disposable stock and introduce customers to suitable alternative devices. In fact, many distributors have already stopped supplying single use vapes in anticipation of the ban.

“It is also important that sales staff are fully aware of the changes so they can best advise customers, and it would also be a good idea to have point-of-sale information available with key facts about the change.

“The good news for customers is that there are many devices on the market which are just as easy to use as a disposable but have the added advantages that they can be recharged and work out less expensive in the long run.

“The change will take some getting used to, but if retailers take the time now to get ready for 1^st June, then they will not have to worry about the possibility of a £5,000 fine down the line.”

READ THE FULL FEATURE IN THE MAY ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER HERE

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HMRC officers conducted a search of premises in Camlough on Thursday 24^th April, and uncovered 2.7 million non-UK duty paid cigarettes.

The cigarettes are worth an estimated £1.6 million in duty and taxes according to HMRC.

No arrests have yet been made, but enquiries are continuing.

Dermot Clarke, Operational Lead, Fraud Investigation Service at HMRC said this seizure demonstrates how they are disrupting the trade in illicit cigarettes.

“This is a crime that damages funding for essential public services and undermines legitimate businesses that serve local communities,” he said.

“We remain committed to working closely with our partners to relentlessly pursue the determined minority who refuse to play by the rules,” he added.

PSNI Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, Superintendent Norman Haslett added: “This seizure sends a powerful message to those engaged in this type of crime that it will not be tolerated, and also underpins the dedication of all law enforcement in tackling the sale and supply of illicit tobacco products locally.

“The Police Service is committed to working alongside our partner agencies and we remain resolute in our efforts to put those who seek to profit from criminality before the courts.”

Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco should report it to HMRC online.

Information about crime can also be given to police via a call to 101 or online at https://www.psni.police.uk/report

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The next stage for the Bill will be a debate in the House of Lords on Wednesday 23^rd April.

Meanwhile, retailers are being encouraged to sign an open letter telling government that the Bill is likely to drive more customers to illicit tobacco and illegal vapes.

The letter, addressed to Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, expresses dismay at the Bill which will have a direct impact on thousands of retailers across the UK, with the Bill putting businesses at risk and endangering retailers’ livelihoods.

“We understand the government wanting to stop smoking in the UK, but there doesn’t seem to be any guarantee this Bill will do that,” reads the letter.

“There is little doubt that this Bill will just drive even more smokers to seek out easily available, cheap cigarettes and vapes. The criminals smuggling and selling these products are already taking legitimate sales away from responsible retailers.

“Some estimates say that 25% of cigarettes in the UK are illicit – and we all know how illegal vapes have also flooded the UK in recent years. As it stands, local enforcement is already inadequate – responsible retailers have little recourse.”

The letter goes onto stress that violence and abuse directed at convenience store workers are at an all-time high.

“Keeping customers and staff safe is the number one priority of any responsible retailer – and most of us are responsible,” it adds.

Asking the Secretary of State to listen to retailers, the letter adds thousands of them are facing “real economic hardship, possibly even collapse, off the back of a Bill that will likely fail in its objective”.

“As it stands, the Bill only promises to push the convenience retail sector towards the brink and put its staff in the firing line. The only people who stand to benefit are the criminals who are already flooding our communities with dangerous products,” it concludes.

Retailers are encouraged to sign the letter at Protect Your Store | An Open Letter to The Secretary of State

NI Assembly members voted in support of the region’s inclusion in the Tobacco & Vapes Bill in February this year, following a plenary debate on the Legislative Consent Motion on the Bill.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the Bill was a landmark step providing an opportunity to reduce preventable deaths and health inequalities across NI.

However, the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association said the generational ban “lacks common sense” while also completely disregarding the unintended consequences, and the UKVIA added that while it supports the need to tackle youth sales, it was necessary not to ignore those adult smokers who turn to vapes in a bid to stop smoking.

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