Elf Bar Removing Some Flavors From UK Market
Credit: Nawadoln
Vaping brands Elfbar and Lost Mary say they will drop dessert and soft drink flavors from the UK market.
Elfbar called for a new licensing regime similar to the ones for cigarettes and alcohol.
Elfbar and Lost Mary make up more than half of the UK’s disposable vape sales, according to data firm NielsenIQ.
The government consultation on new rules for vapes closes on 6 December, reports the BBC.
The dazzling range of flavors has helped to turn disposable vapes into a market worth billions of pounds in the UK in a few short years, with Elfbar and Lost Mary taking the lion’s share. They’re both owned by the Chinese firm Shenzhen iMiracle Technology.
Elfbar has already dropped Bubble Gum, Cotton Candy, and Rainbow Candy flavors, with more expected to follow. Gummy Bear was renamed Gummy and is now called Gami.
A spokesman said these will take some time to filter through the supply chain, so it may take a while for the changes to become apparent on the shelves.
Some flavors may reappear under different names, and a decision hasn’t been taken about Cola flavor, which Elfbar says can appeal to adults and children.
The company also called for tighter restrictions on vape sales, including a licensing regime for retailers and rules requiring them to display vapes behind the counter.
“The introduction of such a regime would mitigate children’s access to vapes and make it easier for the authorities to regulate the sale of vaping devices better. Furthermore, we believe it would help combat the growing illicit vape market and drive increased rates of vape recycling,” an Elfbar spokesman said.
