Glasgow-based wholesaler JW Filshill has urged its retailers to take urgent action and ensure they have cleared out all remaining single-use vapes ahead of the ban on 1 June.

From this date, retailers with single-use vapes in stock will be prohibited from selling them and must ensure these products are safely disposed of. Failure to comply could result in legal consequences, including fixed monetary penalties starting at £200. These may be reduced if paid within 28 days.

Repeat offences could lead to further enforcement, including stop notices which would prevent businesses from selling any vaping products. Larger fines and even a potential prison sentence may also be imposed.

To support retailers in navigating the new regulations, JW Filshill has published a guidance document compiled by Derek Cowan, its category manager for tobacco and vaping.

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He said: “Retailers should start transitioning their stock now, reducing the number of disposable vapes on sale and keeping on the fastest-selling lines. They should start moving towards compliant, rechargeable vaping products to continue meeting consumer demand, while following upcoming legal guidelines.

“As a responsible wholesaler, it’s important that we communicate to our retailers when they should transition from non-compliant to compliant SKUs as unfortunately ranges are transitioning at different times – and also what the optimum range and planogram they should execute going forward.”

Cowan confirmed that all stock supplied by JW Filshill will be compliant with the new legislation by the end of April.

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Meanwhile, Chris Cobb, who has operated his store in Cults, on the western edge of Aberdeen, for nearly 18 years, said the vaping category remains a key part of his business.

He said: “We’ve been running down stock and ordering new products that are compliant, we expect to have all our disposable vape stock finished by the middle of May.

“Some customers are aware of the changes, but we are making a point of reminding them every time they make a purchase. We are trying to educate them and telling them that disposable vapes will be illegal and encouraging them to move over to other products. For others, however, I don’t think it will hit home until 1 June.”

Cobb also urged fellow retailers to take onboard the wholesalers advice: “It’s really important because Trading Standards will be all over it – it’s just not worth taking any risks because you will damage your reputation,” he added.

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