A vape licensing framework is essential for preventing youth access and eliminating illicit products from entering the supply chain, Dan Marchant, co-owner of online vape distributor Vape Club, has urged.
The co-founder of the UK Vape Industry Association (UKVIA) joined a panel of expert speakers at a ‘Responding to the Changing Vape Waste Landscape’ webinar, hosted by the UKVIA as part of its Sustainable Vaping Week campaign.
Marchant explained that there is currently no handbook available that displays all the regulations businesses distributing vapes need to be aware of - the GOV.UK website provides access to regulations “but you don’t mean to look for something you’re unaware of”.
“Ultimately you won’t be given the license to sell the product until you’ve been proved you can sell,” he said.
Speaking at the webinar, Nathan Lowrey commercial manager at electrical waste (WEEE) disposal and recycling company Gap Group also said regulation for who can sell them is “key”.
He explained that “not everybody should be able to sell them” and that a licensing scheme would “tackle the illicit market”.
Financial penalties for businesses and companies that do not comply with regulations and punishments for non-recycling businesses were also frequently mentioned by the speakers.
During the discussion, John Dunne director general of UKVIA, highlighted the confusion among some retailers who regularly ask “I’m a retailer, am I a distributor of vapes”. To which Dunne replied, “Yes you are”.
To address the issue of vape recyling, one speaker suggested that retailers could play a key role in educating consumers at the point of sale. ThIs could involve informing shoppers that their vape products are recyclable, helping shift that habit of carelessly discarding their “once cigarette” (if they were former smokers) to more responsible disposal habits.
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