Press Release

Vape industry reacts to Tobacco and Vapes Bill

On Wednesday 20th March, the Government will introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament.

The Bill was announced by the government is its response to a consultation last Autumn and comes after separate legislation that will ban single use Vapes from April next year. A further announcement that liquid used in refillable vapes and prefilled pods will be subject to a duty of up to £3 per 10ml came in the Spring Budget.

As well as banning the sale of tobacco products to anyone born after on or after 1 January 2009, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill seeks new powers to restrict vape flavours, packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.

Under the Bill, enforcement officers’ powers will also be strengthened with ‘on the spot fines’ of £100 for retailers who engage in underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.

It will also outlaw giving free samples of vapes to under 18s.

Commenting on the publication of the Bill, IBVTA Chairman Marcus Saxton said:

“There are things to be welcomed in this Bill, such as strengthened powers of enforcement against retailers who engage in illegal sales. There is also a danger that with so many legislative avenues being sought to reduce youth uptake of vaping, ‘regulatory overkill’ may hamper the future of vaping as the UK’s leading quit aid for adults.

“The IBVTA looks forward to working positively and progressively with the Government to ensure that vaping becomes less accessible and desirable to children, and to adults that would not otherwise be smoking. However, this can only be considered successful in the context of continuing the decline in adult smoking rates that has accompanied the growth of the UK’s vape sector.

“Excessive restrictions on the types of products that our members can provide may reduce the products’ appeal, but even worse, may contribute to continued misperceptions about the harm of vaping relative to tobacco smoking. It is vital that more smokers understand that switching to vaping is of much lower harm and can help them to quit smoking for good.”

ENDS.

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