28 October 2024
Businesses will be given a six-month grace period to sell existing disposable vape stock following the UK Government’s introduction of legislation to ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes in England from June next year.
The grace period will take effect after the ban is enacted on June 1 next year.
Equivalent bans will be introduced by the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish Governments, also taking effect from June 1 2025, with Trading Standards set to enforce the ban in each local area.
In addition to the grace period, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced a dedicated slot in its upcoming Business Readiness Forum forum to provide more information to businesses about the ban offer an opportunity to ask questions, taking place on November 12.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “Single-use vapes have been subject to much scrutiny since their arrival in the UK, however a blanket ban will cause concern particularly among independent retailers that hold considerable stock of disposable vapes. These stores will need support and guidance through this transition once the ban is enacted.
"While I welcome the Government’s willingness to allow businesses a six-month grace period to sell their stock as well as offering a forum for support, I would expect more opportunities for independent retailers to get the help they need to make this transition as smooth as possible.”
The Business Readiness Forum is scheduled for Tuesday 12th November from 2pm to 4pm via Microsoft Live, with no pre-registration required. For more information and to add the event to your calendar, click here.
Related News
All News-
The High Street is Changing – and It’s Full of Life!
They said the high street was dying. But when we asked 54,000 people what they most wanted to see more of, 53% said independent businesses.
-
Historic store's closure 'signals death knell for high street', warns Bira
Bira has warned that the new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), announced this week by DEFRA, could inadvertently disadvantage smaller high street retailers when it launches in October 2027.
-
Independent trade association warns of 'troubled times ahead' despite interest rate cut
A leading independent retail body has warned that retailers across Britain face troubled times ahead despite today's Bank of England interest rate cut to 4.5%, as the Bank halves its growth forecast for 2025 to just 0.75%.
-
Bira expresses alarm as WHSmith considers selling all UK stores
Bira has voiced serious concerns over the future of Britain's high streets following news that WHSmith is in talks to sell all 500 of its UK high street stores.