Comments supporting a licensing scheme for vape retailers by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care Baroness Merrion have been welcomed by the industry.
During a House of Lords debate on youth vaping, Baroness Merrion said the new government was “actively considering” a licensing scheme for the category.
The statement was provided in response to a question by Baroness Walmsey, amongst others on the topic. Baroness Walmsey said: “Will the government consider the impact of [the] lack of enforcement and introduce a licensing system with substantial fines for those who sell vapes without a licence and for all outlets who sell to children, as well as any unlicensed vaping products?”
In reply, Baroness Merron said: “The vape industry has long lobbied for a licensing scheme that would help protect responsible retailers and provide a deterrent for those not adhering to the law. The idea of a licensing scheme has also been welcomed by independent retailers.
Commenting on Baroness Merrion’s statement, UKVIA director general John Dunne said: “We have been calling for a robust and effective vape licensing scheme – backed up by fines of at least £10,000 for those who sell for children - for years now but this fell on deaf ears with the previous Conservative administration. Such a scheme could generate upwards of £50M per year to fund a much-needed national Trading Standards enforcement programme at no cost to the Treasury.
“The Sunak government tried to rush through the Tobacco and Vapes will without proper debate and I am very much encouraged at the message given by Baroness Walmsey. I am delighted that serious thought is being given to amending the proposed legislation to include vape licensing so that youth vaping can successfully be tackled and the focus of vaping can once more return to helping adult smokers quit.”
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