Flavor Bans Drive Vapers Back to Smoking, Warns Vaping Association

On April 6, according to Daily Express, a British Vaping Association (UKVIA) survey showed that if the UK bans fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, one-third of e-cigarette users may re-smoke cigarettes, which will cause nearly 1.5 million ex-smokers to relapse.

British ministers were considering banning the sale of fruity and sweetened e-cigarettes, which are so popular among underage users.

More than 80% of users believe flavored e-cigarettes help them quit smoking.

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) found in a poll of 2,000 adult e-cigarette users:

• 76% had just quit smoking;
• 83% claimed that flavored e-cigarettes helped them quit cigarettes;
• While 27% believe there is a need to address youth e-cigarette use, nearly four in 10 adults (37%) want more effective enforcement against retailers selling e-cigarettes to minors rather than a blanket ban on Flavored electronic cigarettes.

1.5 million users could return to cigarettes if flavored e-cigarettes are banned

John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), said, "Research shows that addicted smokers rely on e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking, and flavored e-cigarettes can play a special role."

According to a report by the Office of National Statistics last year, the number of adult e-cigarette users in the UK reached 4.3 million. If the government bans flavored e-cigarettes, nearly 1.5 million e-cigarette users in the UK may choose to smoke cigarettes again.

Strawberry-flavored e-cigarettes most popular in the UK

According to the survey, strawberry-flavored e-cigarettes are the most popular in the UK, occupying the top five spots, and other fruit flavors are blueberry, watermelon, cherry, and raspberry. Unfortunately, the strawberry flavor is precisely what the government is considering banning.

Tobacco and menthol flavorings were the most commonly used flavorings by ex-smokers.
 

Also read:

Flavor Ban Backfired? - An Example of Early Ban in Denmark

Reference:

A third of vapers could return to cigarettes - if government bans fruity vape flavours