UKVIA calls for tough action against underage vaping

The UK Vaping Industry Association, the largest trade organization representing the e-cigarette industry, is urging for a series of strict measures to be taken against retailers who sell e-cigarettes to minors. This includes a fine of £10,000 and the initiation of a national retail licensing plan.

According to a survey conducted by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the percentage of teenagers aged 11-17 who use e-cigarettes has risen from 4% in 2020 to 7% this year. The survey also found that disposable e-cigarettes are the most popular e-cigarette product among minors, accounting for 52% of usage.

John Dunne, the CEO of UKVIA, responded to the report stating, "UKVIA understands the need to strike an appropriate balance between supporting adult smokers in quitting smoking while not encouraging those under 18 or those who have never smoked to start.

Last week, we sent a letter to the Department of Health and Social Welfare proposing a set of measures to curb the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. The suggestions aim to crack down on those who sell e-cigarettes to underage individuals while still promoting the crucial role e-cigarettes play in helping smokers quit.

The proposed suggestions include:

The introduction of a licensed or approved retailer and distributor plan will require electronic cigarette retailers (both online and offline) and distributors to pay fees, adhere to strict age verification practices, and commit to notifying the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and complying with the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations for the products they sell. Traders who defy UK law will be subject to fines of at least £10,000. Retailers will lose their 'approved retailer' status if they receive two such fines. A national testing procurement plan similar to that operated by UKVIA for its members will be commissioned to ensure that all businesses meet high standards in preventing young people from accessing e-cigarettes. Resources will be provided to ensure that trading standards have the capability to recruit and train officials, combat illegal products, and effectively deter rogue actors across the supply chain. Funding for this initiative will come from the proposed licensing scheme and ultimately fines for illegal trade. UKVIA's packaging, labelling and flavour name guidelines will be incorporated into legislation to prevent brands from inadvertently attracting non-smokers or those under 18. These guidelines reflect the recommendations of the Khan review. Nicotine-free e-liquids will be introduced in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR). This regulatory approach to all e-liquids will further reduce access for young people and improve the quality of products for sale.

John Dunne continued, "All of these efforts will help e-cigarettes play an important role in making smoking obsolete.

He added, "Our members are committed to strict supply chain and packaging, labeling, and flavor name guidelines, but more measures are needed to regulate rogue traders who flout the law and hesitate to sell e-cigarettes to minors.

Undoubtedly, the issue of minors using electronic cigarettes is closely related to unscrupulous businessmen. To address the growing number of minors using electronic cigarettes, the supply of these products to minors must be cut off at the source.

However, the industry, regulatory agencies, education departments, and enforcement agencies can play an important role in ensuring that e-cigarettes do not fall into the wrong hands.