Authored by convenience retailer Neil Godhania, owner and operator of Neil's and Dodds Road Stores in Peterborough
With a wave of legislation coming our way, from disposable vape ban to the upcoming generational smoking ban under Tobacco and Vapes Bill, we, the independent convenience retailers, worry that honest businesses will be unfairly penalised while criminals continue to operate with impunity.
But with proper planning, government backing and robust enforcement, retailers like us can play a key role in making the UK’s transition to a smoke-free future safer, smoother, and more effective.
As an independent retailer, we are not just convenience stores anymore; we are vital community hubs and the backbone of the areas that we serve.
Like in the case of the ban on disposable vapes, I am well prepared and supportive.
The government gave notice in advance, and trade associations stepped up. The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), for example, advised members to stop ordering disposable vapes, clear out stock, and prepare any leftover stock for proper recycling.
In my store, we scaled down disposable lines and increased our range of compliant reusable kits.
But the real threat is something legislation alone won’t stop — the booming illicit trade.
In Peterborough, where I trade, the black market is thriving. Trading Standards raids regularly uncover huge hauls of illegal goods — mostly from pop-up stores and shady operators along Lincoln Road.
For example, a recent operation in Peterborough (March 2025) seized 683,400 cigarettes, 37.45kg of hand rolling tobacco, and 35 cigars – all of which were found to be illegal.
They also found £14,886.20 in cash, as well as large sums of foreign currency, and a substantial amount of sildenafil tablets, commonly known as Viagra, which is a prescription-only drug. This is all easily accessible to young people and these criminals profits fund other serious crimes.
This isn’t just local.
In 2023–24 UK-wide Trading Standards seized about 1.19 million illegal vapes (a 59 per cent jump on the year before) and roughly 19 million illicit cigarettes (5.1 tonnes of hand - rolling tobacco) in a single campaign.
In simple terms, consumers can buy duty-evaded tobacco and dodgy vapes from rogue sellers, which are usually products with unknown contents that endanger public health and hammer legal retailers like us.
Experts also have warned that the illicit market will likely grow after the June 1 ban.
The ACS warns that removing single-use disposables from shops will “receive a boost” in the black market. Public health groups agree- Action on Smoking and Health has warned that an outright ban on disposables could “turbo-charge” the illicit vape trade. Basically, any gap left by legal retailers will likely be filled by criminals selling non-compliant devices or bootleg tobacco.
Additionally, independent retailers also worry that some ex-disposable vapers will turn to illegal sellers or even return to cigarettes. This means that, unless enforcement tightens, local illicit trade will grow, making it harder for law‑abiding retailers as well as undermining the public health intent of the ban.
These concerns were recently echoed in Parliament as well. I was recently invited to speak at Lord Wharton of Yarm’s Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons, where I joined other industry voices to highlight the risks around illicit trade.
MPs expressed strong support for the goal of a smoke-free generation. Many, including Labour and Conservative members, back the disposable ban and the generational smoking ban. But several raised concerns about implementation. For example, how do you enforce a law where two people born a day apart have "permanently different rights"?
MPs agreed on the aim of driving down smoking rates and creating the UK’s first smoke free generation, but they also acknowledged and stressed the need for robust enforcement and support for retailers to manage the transition.
There’s consensus that enforcement must match ambition.
In March 2025 the Department of Health announced an extra £10 million to Trading Standards, funding about 80 new apprentice enforcement officers to target illegal tobacco and vapes in local communities.
This builds on an HMRC “illicit tobacco strategy” with £100 million for Border Force, and will be supplemented by a new vaping duty (from 2026) that brings 200 additional customs and compliance staff to seize illegal vapes.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill also proposes stronger penalties and a retailer licensing scheme — a move I fully support, as it can help drive out illegal sellers.
But I believe even this won’t be enough.
ACS research shows the current funding works out to only about £30k–£50k per local authority per year, with TS teams already stretched this is barely enough to pay for one extra Trading Standards officer in each area.
So while enforcement is promised, retailers on the ground are worried that it won’t be consistent or sufficient. Further funding and better coordination are crucial if illicit sales are to be curbed and compliant businesses protected.
From a retailer’s point of view, the biggest issue is ensuring that honest businesses aren’t unfairly penalised by the new laws while criminals go unpunished.
As retailers, we have been doing our part. Independent stores take youth protection seriously. We already require ID for tobacco and vaping sales, participate in quit smoking initiatives, and support local awareness campaigns.
However, many of us feel we are being blamed for a problem that has grown despite our best efforts.
As one trade federation put it, we are often the “soft target” for regulation while “criminals profit greatly from the illicit tobacco trade”.
So we urge the government to pair the legislative changes with meaningful support:
- Clear, phased implementation
- Effective licensing of tobacco and vape outlets
- More educations and awareness campaign for public
- Tools for retailers to spot fake products
- Ongoing communication with the independent retail community.
We as independent retailers support the goal of a smoke free generation, but we hope policymakers will back that goal with realistic measures on the ground. We want to and need to be part of the solution – not left struggling and definitely not penalised while criminals fill the gaps.
With proper planning, support and enforcement, we retailers can help make the transition safely.
