BAT Executives Urge UK to Crack Down on Illegal e-Cigarettes

Sep.20.2024
BAT Executives Urge UK to Crack Down on Illegal e-Cigarettes
British American Tobacco (BAT) executives urge UK government to focus on tackling illegal e-cigarette sales instead of unnecessary tobacco policies.

According to a recent report by Bloomberg, executives from British American Tobacco (BAT) have stated that the UK government should focus on combating the illicit trade of e-cigarettes rather than introducing additional regulations on traditional cigarettes.


The previous Conservative government in the UK announced plans to ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 14 in order to create a smoke-free generation.


British American Tobacco's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, cited an analysis from the company indicating that the smoking rate among young people will drop to below 5% when the UK's policy to ban the purchase of cigarettes by young people takes effect.


Whitton emphasized that the government should allocate more resources to crack down on the illegal e-cigarette market, rather than further tightening existing policies on traditional cigarettes. The company will push for licenses to be issued to e-cigarette retailers. BAT said that if enforced properly, issuing licenses will help reduce the number of minors accessing e-cigarettes.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%
BofA: U.S. Nicotine Market Splits as Vapor Sales Fall 17.2% and Oral Tobacco Rises 5.8%
According to Investing.com citing Bank of America scanner data for the four weeks ending May 30, U.S. nicotine category performance was mixed, with cigarette, vapor and cigar sales declining while oral tobacco sales rose 5.8%.
Jun.10
Opinion | As EU Reviews Tobacco Rules, Experts Warn Against Overlooking Smokers’ Alternatives
Opinion | As EU Reviews Tobacco Rules, Experts Warn Against Overlooking Smokers’ Alternatives
As the European Commission reviews its tobacco and advertising rules, two experts who provided written comments to 2Firsts argue that future EU policy should not overlook adult smokers’ alternatives. Dr Garrett McGovern and Dr Carmen Escrig say regulators should weigh relative risk, adult switching, flavours, consumer behaviour and scientific uncertainty alongside youth protection.
Industry Insight
Jun.01
Reuters: Big Tobacco Emerges as Winner After FDA Regulatory Shift
Reuters: Big Tobacco Emerges as Winner After FDA Regulatory Shift
According to Reuters, major tobacco companies may emerge as key beneficiaries after the U.S. FDA loosened regulations on vaping and nicotine pouch products, a shift that has sparked debate over public health risks.
Industry Insight
May.26
Philippine Anti-Smoking Groups Urge DTI Action Over Alleged Vape Law Violations by ZYN and IQOS
Philippine Anti-Smoking Groups Urge DTI Action Over Alleged Vape Law Violations by ZYN and IQOS
Several anti-smoking and health advocacy groups in the Philippines urged the Department of Trade and Industry to take action against tobacco companies accused of violating the Vape Regulation Act of 2022. The groups said three consecutive complaints had been filed involving nicotine pouch brand ZYN and heated tobacco product company IQOS Philippines.
Apr.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jinjia Shares Discloses 2025 Annual and Q1 2026 Results With Revenue Growth, Profit Pressure and Expanding New Tobacco Business
Jinjia Shares Discloses 2025 Annual and Q1 2026 Results With Revenue Growth, Profit Pressure and Expanding New Tobacco Business
Jinjia Shares’ 2025 annual report summary and first-quarter 2026 report show that the company recorded 2025 revenue of RMB 2.988 billion, up 4.57% year on year, while net profit attributable to shareholders turned to a loss of RMB 346 million. In the first quarter of 2026, revenue rose 58.13% year on year to RMB 1.005 billion, but attributable net profit fell 45.16% to RMB 36.5349 million. The company said both revenue and cost growth were related to the expansion of its new tobacco business.
Apr.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Indonesia to Step Up Vape Surveillance as Concerns Rise Over Drug-Laced E-Cigarettes
Indonesia to Step Up Vape Surveillance as Concerns Rise Over Drug-Laced E-Cigarettes
Indonesia will strengthen surveillance of vapes amid growing concerns over drug-laced e-cigarettes. The National Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, or BPOM, will soon take charge of monitoring nationwide vape distribution and said it will work with the National Narcotics Agency, or BNN. BNN recently floated a plan to completely ban e-cigarettes, saying a total ban was the only way to prevent liquid narcotics.
May.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai