VPZ Urges Government Action on Unregulated E-Cigarettes

Nov.01.2022
VPZ Urges Government Action on Unregulated E-Cigarettes
VPZ emphasizes the need for stricter control and licensing of e-cigarettes in the UK, particularly against unregulated imports.

VPZ stated that the current challenge facing the industry is the availability of unregulated imported disposable e-cigarette products in local convenience stores and supermarkets. These products are easily accessible without any regulation or control.


Doug Mutter, President of VPZ, has emphasized the importance of stricter control and regulation of electronic cigarette products. He has urged the Scottish government to take immediate action and implement measures that would require flavored products to only be sold by licensed professional e-cigarette shops that adhere to the Challenge 25 policy and provide consultation for adult smokers and e-cigarette users. In the UK, electronic cigarette products containing nicotine must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).


However, recent reports have emphasized how unregulated disposable e-cigarette products that are imported are being sold throughout the UK without any control or customer education. This poses a significant threat to the once in a lifetime opportunity for public health.


According to Doug Mutter, electronic cigarettes have had a significant impact in helping more and more people in the UK quit smoking. They have also received the support of authoritative public health agencies as an effective method for treating tobacco dependence. These agencies have recommended the inclusion and encouragement of electronic cigarettes in all treatment approaches.


The American e-cigarette market has been devastated by various factors, including a lack of regulation, posing a serious threat to the UK and potentially damaging the significant progress e-cigarettes have made in improving national health and helping the country reach its smoke-free goals. It is now crucial that we work closely with trade standards, MHRA, border forces, HMRC, NHS, and the Scottish government to address this issue.


If we are to achieve our ambitious goal of a smoke-free generation, we need to take bold and incremental steps to promote and educate the health benefits of electronic cigarettes in advertising.


Researchers from King's College London have found that vaping is more effective in quitting smoking than nicotine replacement therapy. Another report from the Royal College of Physicians Tobacco Advisory Group supports e-cigarettes as an effective treatment for tobacco dependency and suggests that they should be included in all cessation efforts and encouraged. The report also found that the long-term effects of vaping are 95% lower than smoking.


Dr. Javed Khan's recent government-commissioned review outlined recommendations for eliminating smoking and creating a smoke-free generation. The report suggests using e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking and providing accurate information to consumers about the benefits of making the switch. VPZ hosted an event at their Sauchiehall Street store in Glasgow City Centre, launching Stoptober with interactive carbon monoxide breath tests to educate the public about their health status and reveal the effects of smoking on their bodies.


The event also includes the introduction of their Vape Clinic service, where smokers can receive specialized one-on-one consultations with e-cigarette experts from VPZ to help them quit smoking. These experts are well-trained and possess professional knowledge in interacting with smokers, promoting the health and economic benefits of switching to e-cigarettes.


VPZ, headquartered in Edinburgh, has announced that since its establishment in 2012, it has helped over 700,000 smokers quit smoking. The retailer recently launched a mobile e-cigarette clinic with celebrity ambassador Neil "Razor" Ruddock to help more people quit smoking throughout the UK. They are also calling on the UK government to ban smoking and take a proactive approach to e-cigarettes to improve public health.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended only for industry communication and learning purposes.


This article does not reflect the views of 2FIRSTS and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the truthfulness or accuracy of the content. The translation of this article is only intended for industry communication and research purposes.


Due to limitations in the compiler's ability, the translated article may not fully reflect the original text. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan-related, or international statements and positions.


The compilation of information is copyrighted to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Imperial Brands Acquires Helwit Owner Yoik Group for SEK 515 Million, More Than Doubling Swedish Nicotine Pouch Share
Imperial Brands Acquires Helwit Owner Yoik Group for SEK 515 Million, More Than Doubling Swedish Nicotine Pouch Share
Imperial Brands has agreed to acquire 100% of Swedish modern oral nicotine company Yoik Group AB for an initial SEK515 million, equivalent to about US$53.9 million, plus a deferred payment linked to performance over the next two years. Yoik owns nicotine pouch brand Helwit, which held about 3.4% of Sweden’s modern oral nicotine market over the past 12 months. Imperial says the acquisition will more than double its existing share of the Swedish market. Helwit is also sold elsewhere in the Nordics, through European online channels and in selected UK retail outlets.
Sep.08
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
Special Report | Altria Subsidiaries Sue FDA to Vacate 2021 PMTA Rule as Agency Moves to Speed Reviews
2Firsts reviewed the original federal court complaint filed by Altria subsidiaries Helix Innovations and NJOY on Sept. 2 challenging FDA’s 2021 PMTA rule. The lawsuit questions whether FDA’s review process complies with the Tobacco Control Act’s 180-day timeline, even as the agency moves to accelerate PMTA reviews and issues more marketing orders. Drawing on the complaint, FDA records, government audits and recent court rulings, 2Firsts examines the legal arguments, supporting evidence and potential implications for the U.S. tobacco review system.
Regulations
Sep.03
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
NAS 2026 | FDA CTP Director Says PMTA Pathway Is “Predicated on Tobacco Harm Reduction”
At the 2026 New Approaches Summit in New York, FDA Center for Tobacco Products Director Bret Koplow said the PMTA pathway is “predicated on tobacco harm reduction.” He outlined four CTP priorities: youth prevention, helping adults quit or switch to lower-risk products, improving relative-risk communication, and reducing unauthorized products. Koplow also addressed flavored e-cigarettes, public risk perceptions, industry credibility and efforts to make PMTA reviews more efficient and predictable.
Sep.26
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company Launches Flavored Vuse Pro Pods in U.S. Without FDA Marketing Authorization
R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company has begun selling four flavored Vuse Pro pods — Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint — in Ohio and selected other U.S. markets. According to the Vuse U.S. FAQ, Vuse Pro contains approximately 5.0% nicotine by weight, and Vuse Pro pre-filled pods are intended for use with Vuse Alto devices. Reynolds told 2Firsts that product labeling lists an e-liquid capacity of 2.0 mL per pod. The Vuse Alto Power Unit received FDA marketing authorization in 2024, while the new Vuse Pro pods themselves have not received marketing granted orders. The rollout follows the FDA’s May 2026 revision of enforcement priorities for certain unauthorized vaping products with qualifying pending applications.
BAT
Sep.10
JTI Proposes 25-Cent Irish Cigarette Tax Increase, Says It Could Raise €45 Million
JTI Proposes 25-Cent Irish Cigarette Tax Increase, Says It Could Raise €45 Million
Japan Tobacco International's Irish business has proposed a €0.25 tax increase on a pack of 20 cigarettes in its pre-Budget 2027 submission, below the €0.50-or-more increases typically imposed in recent Irish budgets. JTI says the proposal could generate around €45 million in additional Exchequer revenue while limiting further movement toward illicit and non-Irish-tax-paid tobacco. Revenue's existing estimate for a comparable €0.25 increase, including pro-rata rises on other tobacco products, is about €18 million for a full year.
JTI
Sep.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Charlie’s Bets on Age-Gating and 678 PMTA Assets as U.S. Vape Enforcement Landscape Shifts
Charlie’s Bets on Age-Gating and 678 PMTA Assets as U.S. Vape Enforcement Landscape Shifts
Charlie’s Holdings said in its latest shareholder letter that it is moving to commercialize PACHA products and monetize its PMTA assets as the FDA changes enforcement priorities for unauthorized ENDS products. Thirty PACHA SKUs were previously tentatively identified for a proposed public list of products that the FDA generally does not intend to prioritize for enforcement. Charlie’s is also preparing test-market sales of age-gated flavored disposables and says it currently holds 678 PMTA-related product assets while seeking additional strategic transactions and partnerships.
Sep.11