EU and Eastern European nations are following suit with these actions, with Poland planning legislation to ban disposable vape products later in 2025, while Czech Republic plans to prohibit candy-like or other youth-appealing flavors while still permitting traditional and fruit variants.
Romania enforces national rules limiting refill bottles to 10 milliliters and tanks/cartridges to 2 milliliters; retailers without sufficient preparation could face excess stock, regulatory penalties, and customer attrition – so proactive planning is critical for retailers in Romania.

 The Ban: Scope & Timeline
Definition: A disposable vape refers to electronic cigarettes which cannot be recharged after being used and thus need to be disposed of after each use.

Enforcement (June 1, 2025): Any actions intended for sale will be illegal. Remaining inventory must be separated for recycling rather than being offered back for resale.
Follow-on in Eastern Europe: Poland’s action is part of an overall regional crackdown, while Czechia targets youth-appealing flavors while Romania imposes capacity and packaging limits. There will be no grace period – compliance must occur instantly or fines may ensue (potentially unlimited).

Inventory & Procurement Strategy (Retailers’ Priority Actions) Starting August 4, 2025 in most EU markets, retailers should:

Switch over immediately from buying disposable vape stock, to rechargeable or refillable products.

Use timed sales, bundle offers or trade-in schemes to quickly dispose of disposable products before legal action takes effect.

Correctly dispose of unsold goods: Label them “Not for Sale” and segregate remaining stock for regulated e-waste disposal.

Environmental groups have recently drawn attention to the fire risk posed by disposable lithium sacks from businesses. Simply prohibiting sales does not release them of disposal duties. mes 4. Compliant Product Alternatives

A ban also creates opportunities:

Rechargeable or pod-based systems are now legal and popular, as UK sales of refillable refillables rose 21% while rechargeable pod kits saw growth of about 11% post-ban. Refillable devices also bring environmental and loyalty advantages: refilling cartridges leads to repeat purchases.

Private-label and OEM/ODM options (such as refillable models with custom flavourings and nicotine options) help companies create distinctive offerings.

Retailers that adopt these models early tend to retain more customers and experience minimal sales disruption.

Customer Communication & Transition Support

Be sure to notify customers quickly by in-store signage, website banners or SMS/email alerts explaining why there will be a ban and listing compliant alternatives.

Offer trade-in and upgrade promotions–exchanging old disposable stock for discounts on reusable devices.

Staff must receive thorough training, so they are capable of explaining new products, helping customers through demos, and managing after-sales support smoothly.

Establish trust during times of change by being reliable, compliance-minded partners.

To reduce risk, businesses should: Whilst non-compliant sales must be avoided at all costs; selling disposables after June 1 is illegal and could lead to enforcement action or account suspension; source reliable suppliers who offer products which comply with TPD, CE, RoHS, and national legislation and can guarantee delivery by their deadlines;
Keep informed: Stay abreast of EU and country-specific updates, such as flavour restrictions in Czechia or refill limits in Romania.

Seize the Opportunity: Reinvent Your Retail Strategy

For forward-thinking retailers (particularly across EU and Eastern Europe), this transitional period represents an opportunity to revitalise their retail strategy:

Switch from low-margin disposable inventory to higher-margin reusable vapes for increased margins.

Add unique OEM/ODM product lines to your store to set yourself apart from competitors.

Display your commitment to public health, sustainability and compliance in customer messaging.

By anticipating regulatory trends, your business can avoid stockpiling issues, reduce risks, and build loyalty that leads to future expansion.

Related links

Disposable Vapes Outlawed: The Challenges for Retailers and Regulators

More than a million vapes a day in UK thrown away, says research

UK bans single-use vapes to stem use by children and reduce harmful litter