Supreme PLC Donates £350,000 despite Government's Anti-E-cigarette Stance

According to a report from inews.co.uk on September 7th, despite the government's commitment to cracking down on e-cigarettes targeting children, the Conservative Party has accepted a £350,000 donation from Supreme PLC, a company that sells e-cigarette products such as watermelon bubblegum and cotton candy ice cream.

The latest records released by the Election Commission reveal that Rishi Sunak's political party received funds from Supreme 8 Ltd in May.

Supreme 8 is owned by Sandeep Singh Chadha, who is the CEO of the parent company Supreme PLC. Supreme PLC is a Manchester-based distributor and manufacturer of e-cigarettes, lighting, and batteries.

In May this year, simultaneously with the donation made by Supreme 8 to the Conservative Party, the Prime Minister pledged to curb e-cigarette marketing targeting individuals under the age of 18.

Mr. Sunak expressed deep concern over the growing number of e-cigarettes among children and pledged that the government will regulate the e-cigarette market and promotions. He added, "Companies should not deliberately target children, as it is illegal. If we need to take further action to accomplish this, we will do so."

The Prime Minister expressed in a tweet, "My two daughters are aged 10 and 12, and I do not want e-cigarette marketing, promotions, and sales tactics to appeal to them. That is why I am launching a new crackdown today to protect children."

Shadow Health Minister Wes Stringer has expressed concern over the rising addiction to nicotine among the younger generation. However, it appears that the Conservative party's priorities lie elsewhere, as they seem to prioritize their own financial interests over safeguarding children's health.

How can Rishi Sunak pretend otherwise when he is receiving money from a company that sells watermelon bubble gum and cotton candy flavored e-cigarettes?

For those who peddle e-cigarettes to children, their efforts will be crushed like a ton of bricks. We will prohibit the marketing and branding of e-cigarettes to children and ensure that every child has a healthy start to life.

We reached out to the Conservative Party and the Supreme People's Commission for their comments.

Representatives at the annual July meeting of the British Medical Association (BMA) have criticized e-cigarette products targeted towards children. Dr. Penelope Toff, Chair of the BMA Public Health Medicine Committee, expressed concern over these products, stating, "The most alarming aspect is that these products, with their vibrant colors, stylized designs, candy store flavors, and relatively low prices, are clearly gaining popularity among people, particularly aimed at attracting children and young adults.

In an article published in May in The Times, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, the Chief Medical Officer, wrote that marketing e-cigarette products to children is "completely unacceptable", and added, "Companies are marketing products specifically targeted at children, using colors, flavors, and cheap disposable options, regardless of their claims.