The distribution company that handles sales for two of the most popular vape brands in the UK, Elfbar and Lost Mary, believes it is equipped to survive the upcoming ban on disposables. The brands have already launched reusable versions of their popular disposable vapes, with the primary difference being that the liquid containing the nicotine in the new version is in a replaceable pod. A USB port allows for the battery to be recharged, allowing the device’s body to be reused.
Although distributors argue that new products fill a demand for a tool to help smokers quit, councils have warned against producers exploiting “loopholes” in the ban. A spokesperson for the Local Government Association noted that the definition of disposable must be locked down to avoid adding a USB port to bypass restrictions. Critics contend that the new vapes will not deliver the environmental benefits intended by the ban.
Green Fun Alliance, owned by Chinese entrepreneur Shengwei Zhang, controls the companies that make both Elfbar and Lost Mary vapes. The company’s sales skyrocketed as disposable vapes rose in popularity, almost tripling to £117.3m for the year to 31 January, 2023. Green Fun Alliance’s latest accounts note that the UK government’s plans to ban disposable vapes next April “will have a detrimental effect on sales and profitability.”
However, the firm stated, “management have been preparing for this and are well equipped to pivot their business to the exclusive sale of non-disposable vapes and related products.” Green Fun Alliance acts as a distributor for Elfbar and Lost Mary products in the UK, selling in convenience stores and independent vape shops. Sales to supermarkets are handled via its UK-based master distributors, such as Supreme PLC and Totally Wicked.
Elfbar’s biggest rival, Chinese government-controlled SKE, has launched a similar reusable version of its most popular product, Crystal Bar, but did not comment. Although the new vapes will not provide the environmental benefits intended by the ban, manufacturers hope that they will fill a demand for a tool to assist in smoking cessation
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