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

AIR Romania Manufacturing Facility Expected to Begin Operations in Q1 2027
AIR Romania Manufacturing Facility Expected to Begin Operations in Q1 2027
AIR Limited announced on May 7, 2026, that it plans to open a new manufacturing facility of approximately 70,000 square feet in Stefanesti, Bucharest North, Romania. The facility is expected to begin operations by the first quarter of 2027. AIR said that once fully operational, the facility is expected to support more than 150 jobs and be capable of producing more than 4,000 tons of flavored shisha molasses each year.
May.08 by 2FIRSTS.ai
India Seizes $14 Million Worth of Illegal Vaping Products Imported From China
India Seizes $14 Million Worth of Illegal Vaping Products Imported From China
India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized approximately 300,000 illegal e-cigarettes and vaping devices worth more than ₹120 crore (approximately $14 million) during coordinated multi-state enforcement operations.
Regulations
May.22
Michael Olise’s World Cup Locker-Room Photo Puts Nicotine Pouches in the Sports Business Spotlight
Michael Olise’s World Cup Locker-Room Photo Puts Nicotine Pouches in the Sports Business Spotlight
Several European sports outlets have reported on a suspected nicotine pouch seen in French footballer Michael Olise’s locker photo, bringing football’s long-running “snus” culture back into public view and highlighting brand visibility, product classification and public-health debate around nicotine pouches in sports settings.
News
Jun.25 by 2Firsts Perspectives
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
mperial Brands’ HY26 results point to a more selective NGP transition. The company is using cash flow from traditional tobacco to fund targeted investments in modern oral nicotine, heated tobacco and reusable vaping systems. Its decision to exit the legacy myblu vaping business in the U.S., while expanding Zone nicotine pouches. In Europe, Imperial’s NGP growth is being driven by a multi-category portfolio including blu, Pulze and Zone/Skruf.
Special Report
May.12
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
Malaysian Tobacco Control Groups Call for Annual 5% Tobacco Tax Hike
According to The Star and The Edge Malaysia, tobacco control groups in Malaysia have urged the government to raise tobacco taxes by at least 5% annually, saying the measure could reduce smoking rates and fund public health and social programmes.
News
May.26
South Korea Brings Synthetic-Nicotine E-Cigarettes Under Tobacco Rules From June 24, Targeting Online Sales and Evasion
South Korea Brings Synthetic-Nicotine E-Cigarettes Under Tobacco Rules From June 24, Targeting Online Sales and Evasion
South Korea began full enforcement of tobacco-style rules for synthetic-nicotine e-cigarettes on June 24, 2026, with fines of up to 100,000 won for use in non-smoking areas and enforcement focus on online sales, raw nicotine liquids and products falsely marketed as nicotine-free.
MarketNews
Jun.25 by 2Firsts Perspectives