“It’s Not Just About Sales—It’s About Trust”: Vape Shop Owner Shares Honest Take on the Disposable Vape Ban

As the government’s ban on disposable vapes officially takes effect across the UK today, vape shop owner Mark Denham leans behind his glass counter, not with panic—but quiet resolve.

“I’ve been ready for this,” he says, nodding toward a shelf that now displays sleek, refillable vape kits in place of the colorful disposables that once dominated the store. “I warned my customers this was coming months ago. It’s not about fear—it’s about preparing with integrity.”

Mark runs CloudHouse Vapes, a mid-sized independent store nestled in the heart of Leeds. Opened in 2018, the shop quickly earned a reputation for high-quality products and honest advice—a reputation that Mark has worked hard to maintain, especially as the vaping industry entered murky waters.

The Ban Is Here

As of June 1, 2025, it is now illegal in the UK to sell disposable vapes. The decision follows rising concerns about youth vaping, environmental impact, and lack of product regulation. Disposables—often sold in sweet flavors and flashy packaging—were found to be a growing trend among teens, sparking a nationwide outcry and swift political response.

But for Mark, this didn’t come as a surprise.

“I started phasing out disposables back in February,” he explains. “When you’re paying attention to the tone of government reports and customer behavior, you know when something’s about to shift. We told our regulars that this change was coming. I didn’t want them to be blindsided.”

Shifting the Narrative

Though some retailers have criticized the ban as unfair or abrupt, Mark sees it differently.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat it—yeah, disposables made up about 35% of our sales. So financially, it stings. But let’s be honest: that wasn’t sustainable,” he says. “The profit came at the cost of a growing dependency issue among teenagers, and a mountain of unrecycled lithium batteries. At some point, someone was going to step in.”

Rather than fight the regulation, Mark decided to embrace it—and help his customers do the same.

“We started doing workshops in March. Every Saturday, we showed customers how to switch to refillables—how to maintain coils, how to pick juices, how to budget. We offered starter kits at a discount. It became a community thing, not just a business transaction.”

His efforts paid off. By May, disposable sales had dropped to less than 10% of his revenue, replaced by a growing interest in sustainable, long-term vaping solutions.

“Some of My Competitors Called Me Crazy”

Not everyone in the local vaping scene was thrilled with Mark’s approach.

“I had a couple shop owners tell me I was overreacting, that I was scaring off customers,” he says. “But that’s the difference between short-term hustle and long-term trust. I’d rather lose a sale than lie to someone’s face.”

CloudHouse Vapes also gained new customers during this transition—many of whom were looking for guidance after their usual shops refused to acknowledge the looming ban.

“One woman came in after her teenage son was caught vaping at school. She said her local shop kept pushing disposables on him like candy. She just wanted someone to tell her the truth. That’s when I knew we were doing the right thing.”

The Future of Vaping Retail

Now that the ban is in effect, Mark says he expects a rocky few weeks as customers and shops adjust. But he’s optimistic.

“This is a chance to reset. Disposables made vaping seem like a quick, casual fix. Now, people will need to engage more mindfully, and that’s a good thing.”

He also sees opportunities for product innovation.

“We’re already seeing pod systems with recyclable cartridges, e-liquid companies offering refill stations, and coils that last three times longer than they used to. Necessity drives progress.”

However, he remains concerned about black market sales.

“That’s the danger,” Mark warns. “Whenever something is banned, there’s always someone willing to sell it under the table. The government needs to follow this up with proper enforcement, and education. Otherwise, we’re just pushing the problem underground.”

A Word to Lawmakers

Asked what he’d say to lawmakers behind the ban, Mark is measured but direct.

“Thank you for doing something—but don’t stop here. Invest in public education. Regulate packaging and labeling. Support independent shops that are trying to do things the right way. Don’t just go after the corner shops selling to kids—support the ones guiding adults safely off cigarettes.”

For the Customers Left Wondering

For customers who relied on disposables, Mark has one message:

“Don’t panic. You have options. There are refillable systems out there that are cheaper in the long run, taste better, and are better for the planet. Come in. Ask questions. We’ll help you make the switch.”

He smiles.

“We’re not going anywhere.”