Industry Supports Strict Curbs

The vaping industry is throwing its weight behind a call for tough action on rogue traders in an effort to prevent vapes being illegally sold to underage buyers. Concern from legitimate vape businesses that conduct themselves in a responsible manner has encouraged the UK Vaping Industry Association to present a hard-hitting action plan to the Government.

What is the issue?

Sales of vaping products to under-18s has been banned by the UK Government. Despite the risk of fines, non-vape specialist retailers have been illegally selling to teenagers at such a rate that regulators have been “struggling to police the problem” according to the UK Vaping Industry Association.

“Despite a ban on the sale of vape products to under-18s, unscrupulous retailers continue to sell to children,” the organisation adds.

The Chartered Institute of Trading Standards said, “concerns around underage sales are snowballing and getting out of hand.”

“Trading Standards teams are spread very thinly enforcing laws on a range of issues, from food standards to product safety. We need more boots on the ground to help enforce regulations.”

What did the UK Vaping Industry Association suggest the Government does?

The trade body suggested three hard-hitting measures to crack down on bad actors within the industry.

Firstly, increasing the on-the-spot fines from £2,500 to £10,000. Secondly, implementing a compulsory registration scheme for anybody wanting to sell e-cigarettes. The Association says that there should be “stringent qualifiers” to join, and that Trading Standards should be able to cancel the right to sell vapes for repeat offenders. Lastly, there should be a ‘National Test Purchasing Scheme’, “whereby retailers are regularly tested to see whether they are selling to under-18s.”

John Dunne, Director General of the trade body said, “While vaping plays a critical role in reducing the number of smokers in the UK and saving the taxpayer millions in the process, it is completely unacceptable for retailers to be selling these products to children.

“It’s time to get tough on those who are getting away scot-free and making lots of money from continuously breaking the law. No more knuckle wrapping, time to hit the offenders where it hurts hardest – in the pocket.”

What was the response from Parliament?

Adam Afriyie MP, Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Vaping, commented: “These proposals are just what is needed. Youth vaping has no place in today’s society and greater restrictions on access to these products must be the focus of addressing the issue.

“Coming down hard on retailers who sell vapes to children is the right thing to do”.

What has the Government done?

Announced this week, the Government has pledged a £3,000,000 pot to fund an “Illicit Vapes Enforcement Squad”.

The money will be used by Trading Standards to set up a dedicated team with a sole focus of targeting rogue traders and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The measure doesn’t quite go as far as the industry was asking for, but it does mean that the issue will receive greater support.

Announcing the new step, Government minister Neil O’Brien MP added that vaping remains the “preferable alternative to smoking for adults”.

What is the issue?

Sales of vaping products to under-18s has been banned by the UK Government. Despite the risk of fines, non-vape specialist retailers have been illegally selling to teenagers at such a rate that regulators have been “struggling to police the problem” according to the UK Vaping Industry Association.

“Despite a ban on the sale of vape products to under-18s, unscrupulous retailers continue to sell to children,” the organisation adds.

The Chartered Institute of Trading Standards said, “concerns around underage sales are snowballing and getting out of hand.”

“Trading Standards teams are spread very thinly enforcing laws on a range of issues, from food standards to product safety. We need more boots on the ground to help enforce regulations.”

What did the UK Vaping Industry Association suggest the Government does?

The trade body suggested three hard-hitting measures to crack down on bad actors within the industry.

Firstly, increasing the on-the-spot fines from £2,500 to £10,000. Secondly, implementing a compulsory registration scheme for anybody wanting to sell e-cigarettes. The Association says that there should be “stringent qualifiers” to join, and that Trading Standards should be able to cancel the right to sell vapes for repeat offenders. Lastly, there should be a ‘National Test Purchasing Scheme’, “whereby retailers are regularly tested to see whether they are selling to under-18s.”

John Dunne, Director General of the trade body said, “While vaping plays a critical role in reducing the number of smokers in the UK and saving the taxpayer millions in the process, it is completely unacceptable for retailers to be selling these products to children.

“It’s time to get tough on those who are getting away scot-free and making lots of money from continuously breaking the law. No more knuckle wrapping, time to hit the offenders where it hurts hardest – in the pocket.”

What was the response from Parliament?

Adam Afriyie MP, Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Vaping, commented: “These proposals are just what is needed. Youth vaping has no place in today’s society and greater restrictions on access to these products must be the focus of addressing the issue.

“Coming down hard on retailers who sell vapes to children is the right thing to do”.

What has the Government done?

Announced this week, the Government has pledged a £3,000,000 pot to fund an “Illicit Vapes Enforcement Squad”.

The money will be used by Trading Standards to set up a dedicated team with a sole focus of targeting rogue traders and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The measure doesn’t quite go as far as the industry was asking for, but it does mean that the issue will receive greater support.

Announcing the new step, Government minister Neil O’Brien MP added that vaping remains the “preferable alternative to smoking for adults”.