The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is urging the UK to implement stricter regulations for the sale of e-cigarettes and related smoking products. The organization believes that, since young people are prohibited from purchasing these products, retailers should remove them from shelves or display areas that are easily accessible to young people.
Currently, it is illegal for retailers to sell e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 18. However, there are no restrictions on the placement or display of e-cigarettes and their products within retail establishments, according to CTSI.
Although it is advised that retailers place electronic cigarettes out of reach of children, there is currently no legal requirement for them to do so.
The CTSI has acknowledged that using electronic cigarettes carries significantly less risk compared to smoking traditional cigarettes - "Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of disease and death in the UK." Furthermore, the CTSI believes that using electronic cigarettes "can be an effective tool to help smokers quit.
However, it is necessary to strengthen regulation to ensure that electronic cigarettes do not fall into the hands of children and create nicotine dependence among the younger generation.
The CTSI has expressed its support for measures aimed at reducing the appeal of electronic cigarettes to minors, which is why it endorses the call by the Local Government Association to move all electronic cigarette products behind sales counters.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has expressed concern over the availability of illegal e-cigarettes and the sale of these products to minors across various areas of the UK. 60% of CTSI members report that street vendors selling e-cigarettes or related products to children is the most alarming enforcement issue currently faced. Recent trade standard data also shows an increase in the sale of e-cigarette products to minors.
Considering that the issue stems from irresponsible retailers selling products to underage customers, it is currently unclear how changing the location of the products within the store will improve the situation.
Veronica McGinley, an official responsible for restricting age sales at CTSI, stated that the current system of unrestricted display and flavor has led to bright, colorful, and appealing product displays that are clearly targeted at the youth market and marketed as lifestyle products rather than smoking cessation aids.
In addition to the surge of cheap and user-friendly disposable e-cigarettes in the market, we have created a perfect storm that has led to trade standard departments nationwide receiving complaints from parents about children under the age of 13 using e-cigarettes.
Although e-cigarettes can be an effective tool for smoking cessation, they have never been marketed as a lifestyle product and have attracted a new generation of young people who have never smoked before. While these products are safer than traditional tobacco products, they still pose risks. They can lead to nicotine dependence and the long-term effects are still unclear.
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