German Vape Association: Give up Disposables, for Future's Sake

On May 7, 2FIRSTS London conducted an exclusive with Simon Bauer, Head of Chair of Bundesverband Rauchfreie Alternative e.V. (Federal Association of Smoke-free alternatives, BVRA), a Berlin-based 2-year old association representing e-vapor users' interests. Simon shared his view on the development trajectory of German regulation, then offered some advice for vape manufacturers entering German market. 

German party "wrong about vaping"

To start with, Simon introduced his association as "the customer organization" in Germany that engages with members of German political parties and scientists for a better regulation that benefits all. To this extend, he sees himself as more of a "lobbyist for customers".

From the perspective of BVRA, most scientists are still researching to find if it is bad to vape. As there's no direct evidence, the recently-implemented vape tax does not hold water. Simon explains that the new taxation regulation is put into effect because the Social Democratic Party of Germany, one of the biggest German party, is "wrong about vaping", with its members often "slam the door" and do not want to talk about vaping issues. 

These factors lead to the current situation of Germany's vaping regulations, for BVRA, it's a tough task to lobby. 

No positive comment on the vape taxation

Simon holds no positive opinion on levying on vapes, as he warned the government of bad consequences as early as the regulation was in the making. The government introduced the regulation regardless, and "all the problems we have warned of are there", Simon said. One of the problems is that taxation boosted black and grey market. 

The taxation has also hit the retail sector. "More than half of the stores in Germany closed", Simon said, amid covid-shut downs and then the tax regulation. 

Besides, levying on vapes will deter users back to smoking. "Germany now has the most smoking rate in Europe", Simon said. 

Give up on disposables - advice from BVRA 

Simon advises Chinese vape brands and manufacturers to "give up disposables", because this type of products is on the crosshair of regulators, due to the combination of environmental issues and youth vaping issues, as too many brands have been jumping into this "gold rush" since disposables got popular. He then warns that disposables would "destroy the whole market" if brands do not take these issues seriously. "There was no school vaping at all a few years back", Simon said, "but today, every school has disposable problems". 

Flavor is not the No.1 reason of the vaping epidemic

Speaking of the reason why adolescents pick up vaping, Simon states that teenagers being curious and rebellious comes first and foremost. Second reason is the impact of social bubbles, for example friends and relatives, then flavor comes third.  
 

"It has been 18 years since flavors were introduced in tobacco, but they never posed a thing on teens", said Simon. "Being convenient might be a reason too", when it comes to disposables, "but it's not the first reason". 

Impossible to totally ban black market

Because, explains Simon, illegal vape is no "heroine", and enforcement bodies will always have more important things to do. 

According to Simon, on May 6, in the raid of German police, 4 exhibitors were affected, with 1 for suspicious possession of cocaine, and 3 for untaxed SKUs. 

Simon also explained to 2FIRSTS that just because exhibitors successfully registered in the vape show doesn't mean their products are totally clean. Had the German Custom sent more personnel, there would have been more arrests and more penalties. 

The penalty was extraordinarily high, because they cannot arrest expats and prosecute them in Germany, Simon explained.