Armagh<\/a> in 2021 and has since then opened a further four stores in Belfast and one in his hometown of Lurgan.<\/p>\nThe 24-year-old also supplies stores with stock across Northern Ireland and admits he has had to get his head around the new legislation \u201cpretty quickly\u201d.<\/p>\n
The new legislation \u2013 which entails a blanket ban on the sale of single-use vapes \u2013 came into effect across the UK yesterday (June 1) to primarily combat the environmental damage the products were causing.<\/p>\n
According to The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) website, it is estimated that as many as five million single-use vapes are simply thrown in bins or littered every week across the UK, rather than being recycled.<\/p>\n
The new restriction aims to reduce the number of vapes going into landfill or discarded as litter, where they can release harmful substances into the environment and endanger wildlife. It will also stop valuable resources such as cobalt, copper and lithium being used in single use devices.<\/p>\n
And, while Chris agrees that \u201cit is better for the environment\u201d the ban has changed the landscape of his business and forced him to invest a significant sum this month alone on new stock.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Armagh I, Chris explained: \u201cIn 2024, disposables were around 70% of the business but that has now changed and a lot of people have moved on to refillable products, mainly for the cost aspect.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a financial standpoint this has had quite a big impact. This month alone I\u2019ve had to bring a significant amount of stock in. That was basically replacing vapes to a compliant version and replenishing stock to the compliant versions.\u201d<\/p>\n
In preparation for the change, Chris attempted to clear out stock that would be becoming non-compliant by selling it \u201cdirt cheap\u201d but says he is still stuck with a large amount of unsalable product.<\/p>\n
And, for the next few weeks he anticipates business to be \u201cslower\u201d \u2013 especially in regards to \u201colder\u201d customers \u2013 who in his experience were more inclined to use disposables.<\/p>\n
Moving forward, he advises customers to be aware of purchasing \u201cnon-compliant\u201d devices and refills, explaining that anything on display in petrol stations, supermarkets and vape stores will \u201cmost likely\u201d be complaint but warning that anything sold \u201cunder the counter\u201d to be indicative of the opposite.<\/p>\n
His advice is for customers to visit vape stores where products not only tend to be more affordable but where the staff are also trained to provide \u201cup to date\u201d information and advice about product use and maintenance. Chris also points customers to the MHRA website where more information regarding compliant products can be found.<\/p>\n
The young entrepreneur \u2013 while adjusting to this new landscape in business \u2013 is also attempting to \u201cget ahead\u201d of further planned changes with the introduction of a Vape Tax expected in October 2026.<\/p>\n
The tax will see \u00a32.20 charged per 10ml of e-cigarette liquid and Chris anticipates the duty to decimate the sale of nicotine-free liquids.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cAny of the zero nicotine will be dead. When you have say \u00a322 of duty on that before you even buy the product it will just kill it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it happened in Germany, they went from 2,500 vape stores down to 900. They were basically wiped out.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the minute I\u2019m just trying to get as many shops opened as I can to sustain it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will have to cut my margins slightly to get the sales but this will impact a lot of people\u2019s cash flows when it comes in.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ordering liquids in cases of 300 so per flavour you could have an extra \u00a3600 in duty before you even get the product.\u201d<\/p>\n
And while the current changes and future changes are expected to cause considerable financial instability for business owners like Chris he does see merit in the move away from disposable vaping.<\/p>\n
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