Report: UK disposable e-cigarette sales plummeted, ELFBAR and LOST MARY prepared to deal with the ban

Report: UK disposable e-cigarette sales plummeted, ELFBAR and LOST MARY prepared to deal with the ban

The UK's impending ban on disposable e-cigarettes has triggered a market transformation, and retailers' concerns have eased. Brands such as ELFBAR and LOST MARY have launched reusable alternatives to cope with the new regulations.

According to Better Retailing on August 8, British retailers' concerns about the upcoming ban on disposable e-cigarettes are easing as more customers turn to reusable alternatives.

New research from Action on Smoking and Health found that disposable e-cigarettes are still a common choice for young users, but the proportion of use has dropped from 69% in the same period last year to 54%.

Five retailers interviewed by Better Retailing last week said that this trend is also reflected in other customers.

Arif Ahmed of Ahmed News in Coventry said,

"Now we sell about 50% (disposable e-cigarettes) because refillable ones are so cheap."

In e-cigarette shops, the proportion is even lower. Online e-cigarette store Evapo said that only 15% of customers now use disposable e-cigarettes.

The UK's ban on disposable e-cigarettes will take effect on April 1, 2025. Currently, the country is restricting the flavors, packaging, advertising and display of all remaining e-cigarette products.

Since the announcement of the ban on disposable e-cigarettes, many well-known disposable e-cigarette manufacturers or brands have launched reusable, refillable and rechargeable e-cigarettes. These include ELFBAR's launch of the refillable cartridge product ELFX in April, and LOST MARY's launch of the LOST MARY BM6000 in May. It is understood that the LOST MARY BM6000 package provides a pre-filled 2 ml cartridge (20 mg nicotine) and comes with a 10 ml e-liquid refill container.

Earlier this year, an industry source told Better Retailing that many major disposable e-cigarette brands will launch large-capacity disposable devices to comply with the ban.

"It will be easier for stores because customers can still find products with the same look, feel, brand and price after the ban."