Updated: November 2024

Key points to know:

• Disposables will be banned from June 2025
• Consumers are already buying fewer disposables - and switching to alternatives
• For retailers who predominantly sell disposable devices, it’s key to have a range of alternatives ready

With a disposable vape ban officially confirmed for June 2025, it’s essential for you to both carefully plan stock purchases and prepare alternatives to disposable vapes. A balance will need to be struck between being left with excess stock and serving customers who wish to stock up prior to the ban.

It’s also worth noting that trends are already changing before the ban comes in. Some of the biggest disposable brands of 2023 have lost market share, despite introducing prefilled pod devices and e-liquids, while other brands are coming to the fore.

Disposable consumers are also showing increased interest in Big Puff devices, some of which are or will be rechargeable.

What are people buying now?

Small single-use devices have seen a significant dip in consumer interest over the last year, with consumers increasingly switching to either refillable devices or Big Puff devices. This has been reflected by a fall in interest in the big disposable brands:

The big winner in the big puff device market has been IVG with its 2400 puff devices, (although there has been some tail off in recent weeks).

IVG is well prepared for the disposable bans. The company already has rechargeable big puff vapes available and also has a rechargeable version of the 2400 ready to sell. (Indeed, this device is already for sale in overseas markets.)

Another recent trend is the combination of disposable devices with slide-in bottles.

These '2 plus 10' devices combine a 2ml e-liquid container with an additional 10ml e-liquid container, allowing customers to vape up to 12ml. Many of these devices already contain a USB port, which allows them to be recharged, although currently, the customer will discard the device after the e-liquid has been vaped. Post-ban, it’s likely that replacement refill containers will be available for these devices, extending their usability.

Despite the dip in interest in brands such as Elf Bar, Lost Mary and Crystal Bar , 2 plus 10 vape devices such as the Lost Mary BM6000 have seen a surge in interest and, as the graph below shows, are starting to catch up with the IVG 2400.

While 2 plus 10 devices are currently classed as disposables, it seems likely that replacement containers will be made available for these devices.

As we get closer to the ban on disposable devices, it’s going to be key to have a range of devices, including both refillable pod systems and big puff devices, in order to respond to changes in demand and trend.

Legal requirement to stock pods and coils for disposable alternatives

While some disposable brands may be tempted to add a USB port to the device and call it reusable, the new law also requires that:

• the coil and e-liquid with the device can be changed (the coil can be part of a prefilled or refillable pod)
• that the coil or pod be available to purchase

We have seen conflicting information on the meaning of the last point. Some sources have suggested that the coil or purchase only needs to be generally available. For example, you would be able to sell the new IVG 2400 as long as customers can buy the refill pods online or from other retailers.

However, Trading Standards have stated the coil/pod will need to be available at the place where the pod system is sold. For example, post-ban ban if you sell the upgraded IVG 2400, you will also need to stock replacement pods for use with the device.

What refillable devices are popular right now?

Not all customers will switch to a prefilled pod, with some switching directly to a refillable vape.

As ever, brand popularity is a fluid and shifting thing in the vaping world, so it’s important to keep up to date with which brands are popular.

Right now, Vaporesso continues to dominate with the Xros 4 and Xros 4 Mini devices (although our in-house testing shows that the Xros 4 Nano is the best of the series), with the Oxva Xlim series also proving popular.

There are also a number of runners up that are well worth considering. Based on a combination of factors including search volume and sales data, these include:

1. Oxva Xlim Pro 2
2. Aspire Pixo
3. Oxva VPrime
4. Uwell Caliburn G3 Pro
5. Vaporesso Luxe XR Max

Some customers will be looking for the simplest alternatives to single-use vapes. The Xros series and the Gotek X are a great option for these customers.

E-liquid

Along with having a selection of refillable devices, it will be crucial to stock the right e-liquids for former disposable customers.

Nicotine salts have overtaken freebase e-liquid as the most popular way to vape. While shops with larger ranges will still want to stock key freebase ranges such as Wizmix and Halo Originals, most disposable customers will prefer stronger, sweeter tasting ‘bar’ salts such as Elfliq and Halo Max, which more closely mimic the flavour of disposable devices.

Wrapping up

If the vape industry has shown one thing, it’s that trends can dramatically change - and that many of these trends are driven by legislation.

It’s important to keep an eye on these trends, so that when disposables are banned you will have a range of attractive, in-demand alternatives to offer your customers.

For advice on the best products for your store, do get in touch with us at info@orderlydistro.co.uk