Imperial Brands Calls for Serious Action to Prevent Teen Smoking
According to the British retail website Talkingretail, Imperial Brands has suggested taking serious action against retailers who sell to adolescents and presented a range of solutions to curb youth smoking.
The company has also urged the government to reform the e-cigarette flavor names and ban products that are packaged in a manner specifically designed to attract individuals below the age of 18.
Further proposed measures include more effective regulation and stronger deterrents for those who violate regulations, including fixed penalty notices and the introduction of a retailer licensing system. The owners of the Blue-cigarette brand express alignment with the viewpoint of Sir Chris Whitty, the UK's Chief Medical Officer, that we should continue to encourage smokers to switch to using e-cigarettes as it poses less risk while preventing the marketing and sale of e-cigarettes to children.
The company also stated that banning e-cigarette flavors could easily lead some nicotine users back to tobacco smoking. Retailers selling e-cigarettes to minors could have their licenses revoked, according to Imperial, which stated that this would serve as a strong deterrent to irresponsible retailers. In addition, the company proposed taxing e-cigarette products, which could help raise funds for enforcement.
Oliver Kutz, the General Manager of Imperial Brands in the UK and Ireland, expressed
As a responsible tobacco and harm reduction product manufacturer, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards the use of our products by anyone under the age of 18.
However, he stated that the company opposes Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's proposal to implement a "generation" ban on tobacco products.
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