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

Malaysia anti-tobacco groups call for stronger enforcement as unregulated vapes remain on sale offline and online
Malaysia anti-tobacco groups call for stronger enforcement as unregulated vapes remain on sale offline and online
Anti-tobacco groups in Malaysia say the continued sale of unregulated vapes in physical stores and the online availability of vape devices underline the need for comprehensive enforcement.
Mar.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Japan to Raise Heated Tobacco Prices From April; BAT Japan Keeps Prices Unchanged for 38 glo Tobacco Stick Products
Japan to Raise Heated Tobacco Prices From April; BAT Japan Keeps Prices Unchanged for 38 glo Tobacco Stick Products
Japan will implement price increases centered on heated tobacco products from April 1, 2026, following a tobacco tax hike. BAT Japan has decided to keep current prices unchanged for 38 glo-compatible tobacco stick products across the Velo, neo, Lucky Strike, and Kent lines.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Spain’s Nicotine Pouch Sales Reached 5 Million Cans in 2025, Industry Says 2026 Could Hit 8 Million
Spain’s Nicotine Pouch Sales Reached 5 Million Cans in 2025, Industry Says 2026 Could Hit 8 Million
Spain’s Nicotine Pouch Association said nicotine pouch sales in Spain reached 5 million cans of 20 units in 2025 and are expected to rise 60% to 8 million in 2026. The group said there are currently 20 to 30 brands on the Spanish market and called for regulation proportionate to product risk. It also opposed a proposal to reduce nicotine content to 0.99 mg per pouch, saying it would amount to a de facto ban on the category.
Mar.19 by 2FIRSTS.ai
USITC Launches Section 337 Probe Into Disposable and Closed-System ENDS, Involving 16 Companies
USITC Launches Section 337 Probe Into Disposable and Closed-System ENDS, Involving 16 Companies
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) voted to institute a Section 337 investigation into certain disposable and other closed-system electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) devices and components thereof (Inv. No. 337-TA-1486). The investigation stems from a complaint filed on January 13, 2026 by R.J. Reynolds entities based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, supplemented on February 3, 2026.
Mar.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New York’s Lawsuit Against Puff Bar and Other Flavored Vape Companies Survives Key Court Challenge
New York’s Lawsuit Against Puff Bar and Other Flavored Vape Companies Survives Key Court Challenge
According to Law360, a federal judge ruled that makers and distributors of flavored vape brands such as Puff Bar cannot escape New York’s lawsuit seeking to hold them responsible for the youth vaping epidemic. The court found that the state had adequately alleged the companies misrepresented how safe vaping is.
Apr.07 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | New Patents Show China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Gas-Releasing Nicotine Pouches
Special Report | New Patents Show China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Gas-Releasing Nicotine Pouches
Newly published patent filings indicate that China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), is exploring nicotine pouch technologies capable of releasing gas during oral use. The designs include carbon-dioxide microcapsules that burst in the mouth and effervescent systems that generate gas through chemical reactions with saliva, suggesting efforts to introduce new sensory dynamics into modern oral nicotine products.
News
Mar.04