In response to the UK’s ban on disposable vapes, global vape brand SKE has unveiled a portfolio of eight new devices spanning pod systems, refillables and advanced reusables.
In the first major product launch event to mark the new era of vaping, SKE, one of the leading seller of single use products in the UK, unveiled its new fully rechargeable SKE Bar to retailers, distributors, buyers and the media during the Vaper Expo weekend in May.
The SKE Bar is a pre-filled pod system which retains the same design and flavour-profile of the company’s popular disposables products, the SKE Crystal Bar, and is one of eight new products launched at Birmingham’s Park Regis hotel as the brand seeks to maintain its position as the UK market leader amongst distributors, retailers and consumers.
The SKE 600 Pro contains magnetically-secured pods, a one-piece PCTG body, anti-leak technology, 400mAh hour battery and fast-charging USB-C port.
“Over the past three years, we have focused on doing business honestly and responsibly, gained strong support from customers across the UK and listed our products in big key accounts including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, One Stop and many more,” Chris Dong, SKE’s UK regional director, said.
“SKE is now in over 30,000 stores across the UK but we are proud of more than just numbers and have made sustainability and social responsibility a big part of what we do. We have cut down on disposable plastic in our packaging by over 50 per cent.”
SKE has also updated its brand identity, including a refreshed logo design, visual elements and packaging to mark the brand owner’s product range for the new post-disposables era.
“We firmly believe that the regulatory changes within the UK represent an opportunity for innovation and change. As we launch our new brand look, SKE will keep leading the way — focusing on quality, ethics and providing the products our customers really need,” Dong said.
“This is a defining and significant moment for SKE as we introduce a more diverse product lineup which includes refillable pod systems, open systems with replaceable tanks and vapour-free products, catering for all retail formats and to a wide range of consumers, from entry-level to premium product lines.”
Speaking at the launch, UKVIA director general John Dunne described the vape industry as ‘agile, innovative and receptive to change’ and praised SKE for producing products to help adult smokers quit while fully complying with changing regulatory demands.
“As an industry, we do not believe bans are the answer to tackling youth vaping and environmental compliance but greater enforcement of the current regulations that are in place is needed. However, the banning of disposables, which have played such a pivotal role in declining smoking rates, will provide a new opportunity for the industry’s players, such as SKE, to develop products that continue to be the most popular choice for adult smokers looking to quit,” Dunne said.
“As we approach this regulatory milestone, I urge everyone - whether you’re a retailer, a distributor, a manufacturer or an importer – to ensure that you are ready for the single use vapes ban.”
Upcoming devices in the new lineup will include a two-pod SKE CL2000 with transparent casing; the compact 8,000-puff SKE Airy 8000; the SKE PULX Air – an entry level open system; the SKE PULX open system which features a 2.21 inch touchscreen display, smartphone Bluetooth pairing and puff tracker; the SKE Edge X with triple-layer leak-proof technology and the SKE Airknows, which features ceramic air heating without vapour production.
