After the Ban: Inside the UK Vaping Industry’s Shake-Up Following the June 2025 Disposable Vape Crackdown

When the UK government officially enforced the ban on disposable vapes in June 2025, the reaction from the vaping industry was immediate, complex and far from uniform. For some retailers, it was the final nail in an already struggling business model. For others, it opened the door to reinvention. Now, just weeks later, the landscape of vaping in the UK is shifting in real-time, with consumer habits evolving and retailers scrambling to adapt to a new set of rules.

From Convenience to Consciousness

The disposable vape ban, framed as a public health and environmental measure, targeted the explosion of brightly coloured, single-use devices that had dominated forecourts and high streets. Known for their popularity among younger users and their throwaway design, disposables were criticised for their appeal to underage customers and their environmental impact.

According to Lillian Purge, a UK-based digital marketing firm specialising in SEO trends, there has been a huge drop in online search volume for terms related to “disposable vapes” since mid-June. More tellingly, they noted a sharp uptick in searches for phrases like “pod kits” and “refillable vapes”. Which suggests that these product types will be the new leader in the UK vaping industry for the foreseeable future.

Retailers Caught in the Middle

Retailers are feeling the brunt of the change. For many, disposable vapes represented fast-moving, high-margin stock. “It’s been a mixed bag,” says a spokesperson at Northwest Vape, who are one of the market leaders in the north of England. “We had to move quickly to replace the majority of our stock but some of our regulars are actually spending more now on pod kits and e-liquids.”

Their early focus has been on educating customers who previously relied on disposables. Leaflets, one-on-one consultations and in-store demonstrations have replaced the quick-grab transactions of the past. “We’re not just selling devices anymore,” they added. “We’re helping people find long-term alternatives.”

Changing Consumer Behaviour

If 2020 to 2024 was defined by impulse purchases, the post-ban world appears to be leaning toward more intentional, informed buying habits. My Nic Pouch, an online nicotine pouch retailer, reports that traffic from first-time users has increased. “It’s clear people are exploring smokeless and tobacco-free options. We’ve seen significant growth from customers who would have otherwise picked up a disposable on the way to work,” a spokesperson shared.

This trend reflects a broader pivot in consumer priorities. Where once convenience dominated, many are now factoring in cost, sustainability and product longevity. The transition hasn’t been seamless, but it is beginning to settle into something more stable.

Compliance and Financial Repercussions

Beyond the sales floor, vape businesses have been forced to think differently about their operations. From stock forecasting to legal compliance, the ripple effects of the ban go far beyond product swaps. Towerstone Accountants, which supports several vape shop clients across the UK, says the sudden shift has made business planning more complicated.

“One challenge has been the devaluation of existing disposable stock,” says a senior accountant at Towerstone. “Some businesses were sitting on thousands of pounds worth of inventory they suddenly couldn’t legally sell. That’s a huge blow, especially for independents.”

They also noted an increase in calls relating to VAT treatment of destroyed stock and the need for clear audit trails if business owners want to claim relief. “Getting professional advice right now isn’t a luxury,” they add. “It’s survival.”

Repositioning the In-Store Experience

Bricks-and-mortar vape shops are being forced to rethink how they attract and retain customers. Premier E Cigs, a family-run shop chain of vape stores who have been trading since the beginning of the vaping industry in the UK, has taken a localised, education-first approach. “We’ve gone back to basics,” the owner explains. “We’re showing customers how refillable kits work, how to maintain them and which e-liquids match their previous preferences.”

Their shop has seen an unexpected silver lining. “People linger longer now. They ask questions. They test different flavours. It’s almost like we’re building a community again.”

Adaptation at Speed

Agility has become a defining factor in who sinks and who swims. Celtic Vapours, a Welsh-based retailer, started preparing for the disposable ban well in advance. “We diversified our product line months before the legislation kicked in,” they said. “We’ve introduced everything from premium mod kits to zero-nicotine options, and even a loyalty programme to support returning customers.”

The effort appears to be paying off. Celtic Vapours has seen a steady increase in returning customer orders and a drop in refund rates, which they attribute to better product matching and improved user guidance.

Wholesale and Stocking Woes

At the supplier level, things have been more turbulent. Wholesalers have had to pivot their offerings while avoiding a cascade of liquidated stock. Vape Store Direct, which supplies hundreds of vape shops and petrol station forecourts across the UK, notes that the market shock was anticipated, but not fully priced in.

“We had some stock written off and some redirected to markets outside the UK,” a representative said. “But we’re now seeing higher demand for open system kits, nic salts, and accessories.”

They added that independent retailers who were too reliant on disposables have struggled the most, particularly if they lacked an ecommerce channel to quickly pivot online.

Looking Ahead: New Growth Paths

The aftermath of the ban has certainly created short-term pain, but it may be the jolt the industry needed to mature. With fewer products being sold on impulse and more focus on customer loyalty, the long game is suddenly back in fashion.

In that sense, the end of the disposable era might not be a loss at all. It could be the beginning of a more sustainable, educated and resilient vaping industry, one that’s finally earned its place in mainstream consumer culture. Well, that’s until the Vape Tax is enforced in October 2026 where the vaping industry will go through another major transition, probably the biggest one in history.