The consultation on proposals for vapes and nicotine products has suggested introducing plain packaging and limiting flavour names to only recognisable descriptions, such as ‘Apple’.

It is seeking responses on a range of proposals, including restrictions on displays similar to tobacco products and mandating manufacturers of vape devices to make them in plain colours, such as white or grey and without any images.

The consultation, led by the Department of Health, runs until 2^nd October 2026 and follows the passing of the Tobacco and Vapes Act which became law on 29^th April this year.

It focuses on three areas of proposed regulation across the UK, namely new packaging requirements; new restrictions on vape and heated tobacco device appearance; and new restrictions on where products can be displayed in shops. In outlining the scope of the proposals and when new requirements are introduced, the consultation acknowledges that manufacturers will need time to update their packaging to comply with new riles, while retailers may also need time to sell old stock which would not comply with the new law.

Proposing a minimum notice period of 12 months, this would mean all products in scope of the proposals would need to comply with any new regulatory requirements by the end of a 12-month implementation period. Although it also states they welcome views on whether a longer or shorter notice period is needed.

Describing it as an opportunity for retailers to help make sure new regulations are practical, proportionate and effective, BAT UK added that the implementation of regulations will have a significant impact on day-to-day store operations, including potential financial implications.

“Retailers have invaluable experience of how these products are sold and how regulations work in practice,” said Commercial Director at BAT UK, Tolga Kilic.

“Their feedback can help ensure that any future measures are sensible and avoid unintended consequences for responsible businesses.”

Adding that they support targeted action to prevent youth access to nicotine products, Tolga Kilic added regulation must also ensure adult smokers remain aware of, and have access to, reduced-risk alternatives to cigarettes.

“Measures such as packaging restrictions, display bans and limits on product communications could have significant implications for retailers and for adult consumers seeking alternatives to smoking,” said Tolga.

“It is therefore essential that government carefully considers evidence from those who will be responsible for implementing these changes in practice. We strongly encourage retailers to take part in the consultation and make their voices heard before the government takes final decisions.”

Head of External Affairs UK and Scientific Affairs at Haypp Group, Dr Marina Murpshy also said the consultation provides an opportunity for constructive dialogue on preventing youth access.

“Packaging regulations should reflect the different risk profiles of nicotine products. A one-size-fits-all approach that treats reduced-risk, smoke-free products in the same way as cigarettes risks making it harder for adult smokers to identify and switch to better alternatives,” she said.

“The most effective way to prevent youth access is through robust age-verification, enforcement of existing laws and action against illicit sales. Packaging should support informed adult choice without undermining these measures or reducing the ability of smokers to identify less harmful alternatives.”

See the consultation here: Tobacco and vapes: packaging, appearance and display

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Meanwhile, further data has suggested the ban has not worked as intended and has instead pushed some vapers towards illicit products or a return to smoking.

A survey of 6000 UK adults, conducted by Opinium for ELFBAR found that one in six of those who previously used single-use vapes have relapsed to smoking or started smoking more, with the survey identifying a gradual increase in smoking prevalence; 16% of respondents say they now regularly smoke, compared with 15% in December 2025 and 14% in December 2024.

However, the survey also found that seven in 10 (72%) of daily vapers had switched to reusable vapes, with 79% buying refills each time, while 77% said reusable products helped them cut back or quit smoking.

Elsewhere, a separate survey from Haypp, found that 35% of respondents said they had purchased a disposable vape since the ban was introduced, indicating an active black market for the product.

The main sources for the purchase of illicit disposable vapes are corner shops/convenience stores (51%); car boot sales/market stalls (35%); independent vape shops (28%) and friends or family members (28%).

Additionally, the survey found that the ban has resulted in some reduced demand for vapes, with 61% of respondents saying they have reduced how much they vape and 8% said they had quite vaping altogether.

The data has highlighted a shift in consumer behaviour, with the survey showing that some vapers have replaced disposable vapes with traditional cigarettes (41%); nicotine pouches/snus (44%); refillable vapes (17%) and chewing tobacco (12%).

“By introducing a blanket ban, the government has inadvertently fuelled the black market and, most concerningly, pushed 41% of those who have reduced their vaping to cigarettes,” said Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Haypp.

“While it is positive to see 44% moving to tobacco-free alternatives such as nicotine pouches, we must acknowledge that the negative outcomes from the ban far outweigh the positive. As the government begins to implement the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the lesson from the disposable vapes ban is that blanket bans do not work.”

Meanwhile, the survey conducted by ELFBAR is part of a series of ongoing studies examining smoker behaviour and publica attitudes to vaping-related issues. Opinium has surveyed 46,000 adults since 2023 (across eight separate waves), making it one of the most comprehensive datasets on vaping behaviours and trends in the UK.

The large majority of vapers (78%) know that used vape refill pods and devices should not be disposed of in general waste bins. In practice, two thirds (65%) of current daily vapers say they either recycle their pods and devices, have attempted to, or retain them for future recycling. However, 26% still report disposing of either the pod or device in waste bins.

The survey also shows consumer engagement with illicit products, with one in four current vapers (25%) saying they have knowingly bought them (30% in December 2024). Of these, 39% had done so within the past three months. The findings align with reports from Trading Standards that the illegal vape market has fallen since the single-use ban, though it remains a significant challenge.

Purchases of illicit products made in the last month were most commonly from retail shops (16%), followed by market or street sellers (11%), online (7%) and friends (4%).

Eve Peters, director of government affairs for ELFBAR in the UK said it was positive to find the transition to reusable vapes has embedded one year on, but added that disruption to established product categories has had unintended consequences, including relapse for some smokers.

“This underlines the need for clear, consistent public messaging on the effectiveness of vaping as a smoking cessation took, alongside proportionate regulation that supports smokers to make the switch,” she said.

“It is incumbent on all, including those in government, to ensure that the messaging around vaping remains consistent and highlights the evidence that it is much safer than smoking.”

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Consideration of Commons amendments/reasons on the bill took place in the House of Lords on 20^th April, and with both Houses having agreed on the text of the Bill, it proceeded to the final stage, receiving Royal Assent on 29^th April, when it became an Act of Parliament (law).

This now means that children born after 1^st January 2009 now face a lifelong ban from purchasing cigarettes, as the government aims to create a smoke-free generation.

Additionally, from 29^th October 2026, it will also be illegal to sell non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine products to under 18s.

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

There has been some concern and criticism of the bill, with the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association stating the generational ban “lacks common sense” while also completely disregarding the unintended consequences, with the UKVIA adding 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.

National President of the Fed, Hetal Patel said that concerns remain, especially around the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.

“Whilst this Bill has developed, we have engaged closely with the Government and MPs from all parties about the potential impact of changes including the Generational Smoking Ban and licence of tobacco retailers.

“We welcome societal changes which have seen a dramatic fall in cigarette smoking over the past half a century – from about 45% in the mid-1970s, to less than a quarter of that today – but are concerned that a generational smoking ban relating to cigarettes and taxation on vapes will lead to these products being driven underground into the black market. We also worry that licencing will hit legitimate retailers with costs and red tape, unless it is properly used as a deterrent to restrict rogue traders which give our high streets a bad name.

“We are calling on the government to quickly engage more closely with retailers about how the measures in the Bill will be implemented – particularly on the Generational Ban and Licencing – and to provide extra resources for law enforcement, especially local authority trading standards teams, so more can be done to tackle illicit tobacco.”

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE NEW LAW AND ITS IMPACTS IN MORE DETAIL – HOW WILL YOUR BUSINESS BE IMPACTED? LET US KNOW – CONTACT caroline.rainey@pentonmedia.co.uk

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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.

The post Almost one in five vapers plan to revert to cigarettes after vaping ban first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.