According to a report by Better Retailing on June 18th, British American Tobacco (BAT) plans to introduce vending machines in pubs and bars for the sale of e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches.
The job advertisement states that BAT is recruiting at least 12 sales representatives to enter alcohol sales venues with the aim of finding new locations for vending machines and other business development solutions, ultimately increasing sales of BAT-related products.
The target areas include Basingstoke, Birmingham, Bury St. Edmunds, Cambridge, Coventry, Crawley, Edinburgh, Exeter, Maidstone, Reading, Royal Tunbridge Wells, and Sevenoaks.
An e-cigarette testing company has warned that without more resources, restrictions will be ineffective.
These representatives will begin a six-month "trial" contract on June 24th, with plans for it to potentially extend into 2025 and beyond.
When asked about the matter, a spokesperson for BAT told Better Retailing,
BAT UK is pleased to be involved in a project that involves selling our Vuse and Velo brands through age-restricted vending machines. BAT's goal is clear: to build a better tomorrow. We aim to achieve this by reducing the impact of our business on health, including by reaching adult consumers where they use our alternative nicotine products. Vending machines represent an exciting opportunity to further our goals.
The installation of e-cigarette vending machines in bars has raised concerns about the potential sale of products to minors. In response to questions about how to prevent underage sales, BAT stated: "Our machines will utilize the most advanced age verification technology to ensure that this important principle is upheld.
BAT did not respond to inquiries about the potential impact on nearby newsstands and convenience stores that sell the same BAT products.
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