UK E-cigarette Company Opened "The Flavourless Vape Shop" to Protest Restrictions

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.23.2024
UK E-cigarette Company Opened "The Flavourless Vape Shop" to Protest Restrictions
Riot Labs and Right Vape open "The Flavourless Vape Shop" in Northampton to protest upcoming UK e-cigarette restrictions.

According to the British retail magazine Asian Trader, e-cigarette company Riot Labs and Northampton e-cigarette store Right Vape have opened "The Flavourless Vape Shop" in Northampton Park (Kingsley Park Terrace) on May 22nd. The purpose of the shop is to raise awareness about the impact of the upcoming tax increase and flavor ban proposed by the British government. Riot Labs stated that this would have a devastating effect on those trying to quit smoking.

 

This carefully designed store showcases every detail of a hypothetical future where a comprehensive ban is implemented, from the signage to the interior decor, allowing e-cigarette enthusiasts and smokers to truly experience what could happen.

 

Customers are faced with two choices: on one side, stores have poor taste, lower value, and fewer options. Alternatively, they can walk to the other side, where stores will provide them with services at 2024 prices and offer the products they desire.

 

The store opening ceremony even invited a person impersonating Rishi Sunak to help cut the ribbon, and provided customers with expensive and tasteless e-cigarettes.

 

We are committed to supporting smokers who want to quit smoking, and have helped thousands of people quit smoking over the past seven years. The proposed e-cigarette legislation will be very detrimental to anyone looking to quit smoking," said Ryan Michlig, owner of Right Vape.

 

The opening of this store took a surprising turn when it went viral, ending up in the mainstream after an angry member of the public mistook Sanju, who was impersonating Rishi Sunak, for the actual Prime Minister and threw eggs at him.

 

Currently, videos of the chaos have been viewed millions of times on TikTok and have been covered by The Times, Star News, and Express.

 

Ben Johnson, CEO of Riot Labs, is leading the fight against the government through the Riot Activist program. He stated that the new legislation will give people "fewer options, less value, and ultimately reduce the motivation to quit smoking.

 

Adults rely on flavors to support their journey to quit smoking, and this legislation will have a negative impact on smokers attempting to quit. There are better ways to address the issue of youth e-cigarette use, such as implementing a mandatory licensing program for all retailers.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Special Report | China’s New Five-Year Plan Highlights “Health-First” Strategy, Providing Policy Context for Tobacco Sector
Special Report | China’s New Five-Year Plan Highlights “Health-First” Strategy, Providing Policy Context for Tobacco Sector
China’s 2026 “Two Sessions” reviewed the draft Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan, which proposes implementing a health-first development strategy and strengthening the effectiveness of the Patriotic Health Campaign. Although the document does not address specific industries, this public-health governance framework provides a new policy context for observing the future regulation, product strategies, and market development of China’s tobacco and next-generation nicotine sectors.
Industry Insight
Mar.08
West Virginia House passes “Vape Safety Act of 2026,” creating licensing and product directory requirements
West Virginia House passes “Vape Safety Act of 2026,” creating licensing and product directory requirements
West Virginia’s House of Delegates passed the Vape Safety Act of 2026, a proposal to tighten oversight of vape and smoke shops through licensing, fees and enforcement. The bill would establish a state directory requiring vape products sold in West Virginia to have FDA marketing authorization or a pending application under FDA review to be listed, and only directory-listed products could be sold starting Sept. 1, 2026 if enacted.
Feb.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
UK’s North Yorkshire Council plans up to £477,000 spend on e-cigarettes to support quitting smoking
UK’s North Yorkshire Council plans up to £477,000 spend on e-cigarettes to support quitting smoking
North Yorkshire Council in the UK is set to spend up to £477,000 on e-cigarettes to support residents quitting smoking. Since e-cigarettes were added to the council’s Living Well Smokefree service in July 2023, 487 people have used them to quit, with about a third remaining smoke-free after a year.
Mar.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Oklahoma DOC to allow inmates to buy nicotine vapes and pouches in 2026
Oklahoma DOC to allow inmates to buy nicotine vapes and pouches in 2026
Oklahoma’s Department of Corrections says it will begin allowing inmates to buy single-use nicotine vapes and nicotine pouches through prison canteens in 2026, framing the move as a strategy to reduce contraband-driven debts and prison violence. Officials say inmates will be barred from using personal nicotine products, the devices will be disposable and non-cartridge-based, and the program will be self-funded through inmate purchases rather than taxpayer money.
Feb.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
HB 5437 “Vape Safety Act” advances in House committee, proposing statewide licensing for vape shops
HB 5437 “Vape Safety Act” advances in House committee, proposing statewide licensing for vape shops
A committee substitute for House Bill 5437, the Vape Safety Act sponsored by Del. David McCormick (David McCormick), was recommended Monday afternoon by the House Health and Human Resources Committee to the full House, with the bill next heading to the House Judiciary Committee. HB 5437 would require specialty shops selling tobacco, tobacco-derived products, alternative nicotine, or vapor products and accessories to obtain a state license from the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA)
Feb.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product | Lost Vape launches “4D portable shisha” device with 3,800mAh battery and up to 80W output
Product | Lost Vape launches “4D portable shisha” device with 3,800mAh battery and up to 80W output
E-cigarette brand Lost Vape has recently listed its open-system DTL device, the ASTARA, on its official website. The company markets the product as “The First 4D Portable Shisha Experience,” highlighting a 360-degree display and audio features. The ASTARA has also appeared on some online sales channels in markets including the UK and Germany.
Feb.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai