Vape law loopholes exploited

Several disposable vaping brands are using new designs and technology to offer more than 600 puffs while staying under the 2ml e-liquid per tank legal limit.

Under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), e-cigarette tanks including those on disposables must have a capacity of no more than 2ml of eliquid, usually equivalent to 500-to-600 puffs.

However, new products like IVG 2,400 puff are claimed to be legal to sell.

The lines are registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the brand claims to have been approved by Trading Standards.

Each device features four 2ml tanks to overcome the limit. Happy Vibes Twist 3,500 uses the same loophole, while

BAT’s Vuse Go claims to offer 800 puffs while also being MHRA registered and TPD compliant.

The developments caused confusion among shop owners, who have been told for more than a year by suppliers and trade bodies to avoid products with more than 600 puffs.

Stores are still advised to check that all new vaping products are reg- istered with the MHRA, and to demand proof that any product offering more than 600 puffs does not contain individual tanks with more than 2ml e-liquid in.

One in 12 independent convenience stores are selling products in breach of the legal limit, most commonly the Elux Legend 3,500 puff range, despite it being illegal to sell in the UK.

Collapsed deposit return scheme (DRS) administrator Circularity Scotland (CSL) owes nearly £90m in debt, with Booker and major drinks suppliers among those owed money.

Documents filed at Companies House at the end of last month revealed CSL owes more than £86m following its administration this year, when Scotland’s DRS was delayed until at least October 2025.

Waste management company Biffa is owed the majority at £65m, while nearly £75,000 is owed to Booker. Drinks companies such as Heineken, the British Soft Drinks Association, and Nestlé Waters were also hit, with CSL racking up more than £4.6m of debt against the firms.

Administrators said the firms are unlikely to recoup the funds.

Perfect Draft to expand

AB InBev is seeking more convenience stores for its Perfect Draft mini kegs, as the number of independent partners has reached nearly 180.

A source close to the company confirmed it was looking to expand into more retailers and would be recruiting stores in batches. United Wholesale Scotland notably became one of the first wholesalers to make Perfect Draft products available in cash and carry.

Perfect Draft-partnered stores can stock six-litre kegs (RRP £36) from Budweiser, Stella and Corona, allowing shoppers to have pub-style pints at home.

EXCLUSIVE Youths back C-stores

Young adults want more convenience stores in their local area than any other age group, according to ACS’ Community Barometer 2023 report.

A survey of a thousand shoppers in the new report shows 30% of 18-24 year olds want more convenience stores, compared to around 20% of pension-age adults.

The youngest adults were most likely to believe their shop ‘acts as a community hub’, ‘reduces loneliness’ and is a safe space for people at night.

The ACS said the results break the stereotype that only older customers value the presence of convenience stores. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “These figures show that on areas like reducing loneliness, local shops are important to young people as well.”

Stores to get free vape bins

More than 80 shops are on track to receive free vape recycling bins and collections after getting in touch with RN magazine.

The 28 July edition featured an interview with Green Wings Project (GWP), which has thousands of vape bins and subsequent collection services still available for free to local shops.

All shop owners that asked for the service were put in touch with GWP, who confirmed steps are underway to get the units sent out.

“We have been looking for a solution for recycling disposable vapes and this just might be it,” one retailer wrote.