Co-op Wholesale became ‘one of the first’ wholesalers to be fully disposable vape ban compliant after delisting every single use product on 28 April.

Messages sent to Nisa retailers, seen by Better Retailing said: “To support you on your range change journey, from 28th April, we’ll be one of the first in the wholesale market to have a 100% compliant vape range.”

To further support retailers, Co-op Wholesale pledged that compliant replacements for each major brand will be wholesale price matched with their equivalent now removed disposable version. The price promise will remain in place until the ban begins.

For instance, cases of Elf Bar 600 pod kits are fixed in at £18.50, while cases of Lost Mary BM600 kits will cost £20.50.

The support came with a warning that ‘no returns will be accepted on non-compliant products – early sell-through is essential.’

On top of the pod vape pricematching, Co-op Wholesale said it had extended its range of nicotine pouches, which now includes the On, Klar, XQS and Velo brands, with new flavours of the latter also added.

The changes follow Co-op Wholesale’s veteran tobacco category controller Helen Ludlam warning Nisa stores about the upcoming ban at a webinar in mid-April. Ludham, who has overseen changes including the end of ten packs, the menthol ban and plain packaging, described upcoming vape legislation stating: “I think this is one of the most challenging legislation changes, especially for retailers.”