Scotland’s Disposable Vape Ban Spurs Major Shift in UK Nicotine Market

June 1, 2025 marked the official start of the UK-wide ban on disposable e‑cigarettes, and Talysis convenience-store data captures the market turmoil that followed, particularly in Scotland.

💥 Dramatic Drop in Vape Sales

Within the first full week of the ban (week ending June 8), UK convenience stores saw vape sales plunge from £23 million to £17.8 million—an over £5 million loss—with Scotland affected most severely, losing approximately 36% of its total vaping‑category revenue. Comparable declines occurred across the UK: Northern Ireland (‑31%), north‑east England (‑27%) and Wales (‑20%).

Despite the ban, over £1 million worth of illegal disposable vapes still sold during that same week—highlighting enforcement gaps and persistence of non‑compliant sellers.

Reusables and Pod Kits Surge, But Not Yet Enough

Talysis data reveals rapid consumer shift to compliant alternatives:

• Small‑puff (2 ml) kits now account for the largest share—approximately 38.4% of the vape market in Scotland, up sharply from pre‑ban levels.

• Big‑puff 12 ml (10+2 ml) kits gained +24% in value year‑on‑year, outpacing the 4‑in‑1 kits (up just +12%).

• Pod systems grew 21% in value, as users adapt to rechargeable devices with refillable pods.

Despite these gains, total category revenue has not recovered, illustrating that alternatives have not yet fully replaced disposable volumes.

Brands Reordered: Pixl & Higo Rise, Big Names Decline

A Talysis‑based review of Scottish data shows major brand reshuffling in the vape category:

• Legacy brands like Elf Bar (‑57.5%), Lost Mary (‑44.7%), SKE (‑34.4%), and Gold Bar (‑93.5%) saw sharp declines.

• Meanwhile, newer entrants such as Pixl and Higo surged, emerging as top performers with 13.5% and 7.1% market share respectively, partly thanks to rapid compliant product launches and strong activation campaigns.

• Alternative compliant brands such as Hyola and blu also rose in the rankings: Hyola climbed from #10 to #7 (2.5% share), and blu entered the top 10 with a 1.2% share thanks to its reusable kit options.

Nicotine Pouches: A Surging Alternative

The oral nicotine pouch category is one of the biggest winners amid the disruption:

• In convenience stores, pouch volume sales nearly doubled (+95%) in 2024, with a further uplift of over 50% post‑ban.

• Talysis finds pouch value share in Scotland grew from 1.1% to 1.3%, with overall value rising +51% in the first weeks after the ban.

• Top brands—including Velo, Nordic Spirit, Pablo, Killa, and ZYN—capture 97% of the market, with Velo alone accounting for nearly 40% value share in Scotland.

Consumers report nicotine pouches as a more discreet and socially acceptable option: 68% cite discretion as a key factor, while 78% consider them socially acceptable versus only 30% for vapes.

What Retailers Should Know

• The disposable ban has created both disruption and opportunity. Retailers in Scotland and the wider UK are pivoting away from disposables and towards multifunction pod kits, high‑puff rechargeable devices, and nicotine pouches.

• Brand activations and in‑store education have become essential: on‑site reps (e.g. for Pixl, Hyola, XQS) are helping to drive trial and loyalty for compliant products.

• Enforcement remains inconsistent: illicit disposables still sell, especially in certain regions, and trading standards presence is uneven—meaning retailers must be proactive to stay compliant.

Final Thoughts

Almost two months into the disposable vape ban (now effective UK‑wide since June 1, 2025), Talysis data shows a clear vacuum left by single‑use devices. While small‑puff kits, branded reusables, and nicotine pouches are growing fast, the overall category hasn't fully recovered. For retailers, the key lies in smart re‑ranging, staff training, promotional support, and capturing emerging demand in growth sub‑categories.

Keep an eye on Pixl, Higo, blu, Hyola, and pouch brands like Velo and Pablo. The next few months will be decisive in whether these new products can close the gap—and whether enforcement catches up to market behaviour.