Flash Tory donor cashed in on disposable vape boom before ban on sales
The Mirror can reveal shareholders at Sandy Chadha's Supreme firm enjoyed a multi-million pound dividend bonanza just months before the sale of single-use e-cigs was outlawed
Grinning as he clutches two bottles, this is the flash Tory donor who cashed in on disposable vapes before a ban. We can reveal how shareholders at Sandy Chadha's firm enjoyed a multi-million pound dividend bonanza just months ago. Supreme, distributor of popular Lost Mary and Elfbar e-cigs, paid out £3.7million in January.
It comes as we have unearthed pictures showing the vaping kingpin has flaunted his luxury lifestyle on social media. Another snap pictures Mr Chadha topless, clad in shades, holding his arms outstretched as he revels in the sunshine next to a pool. The Brit, 58 — who once even gave away a £130,000 Bentley in a bet — has helped bankroll the Conservatives.
Last week, our probe uncovered how disposable vapes were illegally flogged despite their sale being outlawed this month. The crackdown on the single-use devices was brought in to safeguard kids and the environment.
Supreme, which also has its own 88Vape brand, has capitalised on the popularity of e-cigs. Supreme's vaping division revenues jumped 9% to £82.8million in 2023-4. Disposable vapes revenue was 70.7million.
Supreme turned a pre-tax profit of £30.1million in 2023-4, up from £14.4million. The firm paid out £1.3million in remuneration to directors in 2023-4. Mr Chadha's total pay packet was £653,056 – including a £325,000 bonus.
Pictures posted on Mr Chadha's Facebook page demonstrate he had a taste for luxury years before the vaping market took off. One image showed the businessman on the red carpet, with another picturing him by the sea holding his hair in a model-like pose. Meanwhile, in a further snap he climbed out of the water with his arm outstretched and another showed him lying down on a yacht.
Mr Chadha owns in a mansion, with an indoor swimming pool, spa, steam and sauna rooms. He purchased the home in Hale, near Altrincham, Greater Manchester, for £6.8million in October 2017. Mr Chadha's home is in a sought-after area, with the property featuring a roof terrace, study, his and hers ensuites, as well as dressing rooms.
In 2022, permission was given by the local council for a side extension to the property for a new dining room, records show. Mr Chadha's Supreme 8 Ltd donated £350,000 to the Tories in 2023, with the company also giving £50,000 in 2022. And in late 2023, Mr Chadha personally donated £50,000 to the Conservatives.
According to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH): 'In 2024, 18% of youth aged 11-17 had tried vaping, amounting to 980,000 children…' It added: 'In 2024, 7.2% (390,000 children aged 11-17) currently vaped compared to 5.1% (280,000 children) who currently smoked.'
ASH also explained: 'As with adults, the most popular flavours are fruit (adults 47%, children 59%), but children are more likely than adults to choose sweet flavours (16%)...'
It concludes: '...although our survey suggests the rapid rise in youth (aged 11-17) vaping since the pandemic has stabilised in 2024, it is not yet clearly declining. And although the vast majority (81%) of children aged 11-17 have never tried vaping, over a third of those who have tried vaping have never smoked.
Furthermore, children's awareness of promotion continues to rise. The big increase in the use of disposable products has happened concurrently with higher levels of youth use from 2021 to 2023.'
Supreme said: 'Supreme has been at the forefront of seeking to eradicate underage vaping, having proactively introduced plain packaging, reduced hardware colour, age-appropriate product names, and recommendations to retailers that vapes are positioned away from confectionary.
Supreme's overriding goal remains to support the widespread use of compliant vape products as a smoking cessation device in line with the UK Government's conclusion that vaping remains the most effective tool to transition smokers away from cigarettes.'
And Mr Chadha said: 'Supreme PLC operates a diversified portfolio of fast-moving consumer goods, supplying thousands of UK retailers with essential everyday products ranging from lighting and batteries to personal care, household goods, vitamins, and vaping.
All of our products, including those in the vaping category, have been distributed in full compliance with UK regulations. The sale of disposable vapes before the ban was entirely legal and fulfilled strong market demand. Vaping continues to serve as a credible, regulated alternative to traditional smoking…'
He added: 'As a listed company, Supreme's dividend policy has been clearly communicated and remains aligned with standard practices in public markets. Our directors' remuneration, shareholder distributions, and business activities are fully disclosed, publicly audited, and operate under the governance of the UK's regulatory frameworks.
"Personal images cited in your story were posted... many years before Supreme's involvement in disposable vapes and before the development of the UK vaping market. The same goes for the house, which was bought in 2017. Any attempt to link them retrospectively to more recent regulatory debates, or to dividends or earnings linked to vaping, would be misleading.'
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