BP Toilet Converted into Vape Store: A Unique Business Venture

In a unique business move, a petrol station toilet in Papakura, New Zealand, has been transformed into a vape store. The BP 2go Ōpaheke on Great South Road had a customer toilet for years, which was recently taken over by Vape Garage and retrofitted into a store. In this article, we will explore this interesting business venture, its legality, and its implications for the vaping industry in New Zealand.

The Transformation of the BP Toilet

Shareholder Harkrishan Barmar revealed that the store was fully closed off from BP and had its own entrance separate from the petrol station shop. While there were plans to build a new toilet for the site once council consents were approved, Barmar offered to buy the existing bathroom and separate it from the petrol station shop when he found out that BP was planning to renovate and build a new toilet.

While Barmar was loath to detail exactly how the renovations had been done, signs were already up notifying the public of the R18 products sold inside, and Barmar emphasized that they would follow all the rules and check IDs before selling their products.

Barmar wouldn’t give an opening date for the store but hoped it would be “soon.”

Legality of Vape Stores in New Zealand

Under new laws, from 2023, the Vaping Regulatory Authority has to specifically consider whether the location for a vape store is “suitable.” Vape stores now need to be registered with the Ministry of Health, and owners must pay an annual fee for the registration. From 2026, stores will also need to provide annual sales returns on their vape products.

As of now, there are 1214 specialist vaping retailers in New Zealand and 15 in Papakura. The Ministry of Health has been approached for comment regarding the legality of the BP toilet vape store, but there has been no official response yet.

Implications for the Vaping Industry

The transformation of a BP toilet into a vape store highlights the popularity of vaping in New Zealand and the growing demand for vape products. It also shows the increasing creativity of entrepreneurs in the vaping industry and their willingness to think outside the box to meet customer demand.

However, the move has also raised concerns regarding the suitability of the location for a vape store, especially since it is close to the Papakura Leisure Centre. While the Vaping Regulatory Authority will have to specifically consider this factor from 2023, it remains to be seen whether the location will be deemed “suitable.”

Conclusion

The transformation of a BP toilet into a vape store is a unique business venture that highlights the creativity and adaptability of entrepreneurs in the vaping industry. While the legality and suitability of the location for the store are still up for debate, it is a clear indication of the growing demand for vaping products in New Zealand.

FAQs:

  • **Is it legal to convert a BP toilet into a vape store? ** While the Ministry of Health has not yet given an official response, new laws state that from 2023, the Vaping Regulatory Authority has to specifically consider whether the location for a vape store is “suitable.”

  • What are the requirements for vape store owners in New Zealand Vape stores need to be registered with the Ministry of Health, and owners must pay an annual fee for the registration. From 2026, stores will also need to provide annual sales returns on their vape products.

  • How many specialist vaping retailers are there in New Zealand? As of now, there are 1214 specialist vaping retailers in New Zealand and 15 in Papakura.

  • What is the concern regarding the suitability of the location for the BP toilet vape store? The store is located near the Papakura Leisure Centre, and some may argue that it is not an appropriate location for a vape store. However, it remains to be seen whether the Vaping Regulatory Authority will deem the location “suitable.”

  • What does the transformation of the BP toilet into a vape store indicate about the vaping industry in New Zealand? The transformation shows the increasing demand for vape products in New Zealand and the growing creativity of entrepreneurs in the vaping industry to meet this demand.