The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has issued a response to a report released by the British Medical Association (BMA) calling the government to address what it describes as a “growing epidemic of vape use in the UK.”
In the report titled “Taking our breath away: why we need stronger regulation of vapes,” the BMA outlines its recommendations for legislation aimed at addressing the increasing use of vapes, particularly among children and young people.
Recommendations include:
- Banning the commercial sale of all disposable vapes, banning all non-tobacco vape flavours.
- Prohibiting the use of all imagery, colouring and branding for both the packaging and vape device, similar to current restrictions on cigarettes.
- Further restrictions on all advertising and marketing; and ensure vapes are kept behind the counter and not on display in shops and retail outlets.
- Government education campaigns for the public on the dangers of vapes to reduce appeal, especially among children and young people.
The UKVIA agrees that stronger measures are needed to cut off the supply of youth vaping and illicit products, however, it has stated that actions laid out in this report would sooner supercharge the black market.
The response shared by John Dunne, director general of UKVIA, explained that the recommendations would also push the nation’s smoke-free ambitions further out of reach.
“The BMA undersells the quitting power of vapes when it says the reduced risk alternative ‘can be useful in helping some people to stop smoking’. The latest data from leading public health charity Action on Smoking and Health UK found more than half of ex-smokers in Great Britain who quit in the past five years used a vape in their last attempt – ASH also reports that current and ever use of vapes amongst 11-17-year-olds has decreased since last year,” Dunne said.
He stressed that the industry has long campaigned for the government to adopt a balanced set of flavour names, descriptors and packaging guidelines.
“The industry does recognise that action should be taken to prevent youth appealing products from ever making it to the shelves.
“If the BMA wants to see underage and illicit vape sales stopped, it should join the industry in calling for the introduction of a first-of-its-kind licensing scheme which would prevent inappropriate businesses – including sweet shops – from selling these products, bring into play stronger penalties for those caught flouting the law and generate upwards of £50 million in annual, self-sustaining funding which could be used to empower under resourced Trading Standards,” Dunne added.
The trade body urged the BMA to support initiatives that raise awareness of how adult smokers can benefit from “considerably less harmful alternatives” to conventional cigarettes, such as compliant vapes.
Vaping supplier Evapo said that BMA’s recommendations could harm one of the UK’s most vital sectors, “which saves millions of lives and contributes billions to HM Treasury”.
CEO Andrej Kuttruf chief executive of Evapo responded to the report: “We support measures to protect young people and the environment, but a balanced approach is crucial. Banning flavours and disposables will only push consumers to the black market, benefiting criminal gangs and diverting tax revenue. A sensible, retailer-funded licensing scheme would pay for enforcement of existing laws while ensuring adult smokers can access safer alternatives.”
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