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.

Latest UK ONS Data: 54% of Vapers Are Former Cigarette Smokers, 26% Also Smoke and 20% Never Smoked Regularly
Latest UK ONS Data: 54% of Vapers Are Former Cigarette Smokers, 26% Also Smoke and 20% Never Smoked Regularly
Former cigarette smokers accounted for an estimated 54% of current e-cigarette users in Great Britain in 2025, while 26% also smoked cigarettes and 20% had never regularly smoked, according to a 2Firsts analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. Among former cigarette smokers who currently vape, approximately 81% used e-cigarettes daily, compared with about 50% of dual users. The ONS found that 33.8% of current cigarette smokers also vaped in 2025, up from 10.6% in 2014. Approximately 1.1 million adults who had never regularly smoked cigarettes used e-cigarettes, representing 2.9% of that population, compared with 0.2% in 2014. The figures highlight differences in the composition, frequency of use and long-term trends across Britain's vaping population.
DATA
Oct.14
BAT Adds Former Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell to Board as Finance, Legal, Marketing and Regional Leadership Shift
BAT Adds Former Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell to Board as Finance, Legal, Marketing and Regional Leadership Shift
British American Tobacco has appointed former Apple Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Bruce Sewell as an independent non-executive director, effective January 1, 2027. He will also join BAT's Audit and Nominations Committees. BAT Chair Luc Jobin highlighted Sewell's experience in technology, government and regulatory affairs, public-company governance and AI-company boards. Over the past 18 months, BAT has changed or announced changes to its CFO, general counsel, CMO and APMEA regional leadership, while the main board has also seen multiple changes. The appointment comes as BAT advances Horizon 2030 and its Fit2Win transformation while expanding New Categories and reshaping parts of its digital, technology and operating structure.
Business
Oct.29
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Couche-Tard Posts Double-Digit U.S. Same-Store Growth in Other Nicotine Products, Led by Pouches
Alimentation Couche-Tard said U.S. same-store sales in its “other nicotine products” category grew at a double-digit rate in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, led by nicotine pouches, while overall U.S. same-store merchandise revenues increased 1.7%. The company also said its Canadian nicotine business continued to face regulatory pressure and illicit-market headwinds. The U.S. performance coincides with Couche-Tard's participation in efforts to reopen Canadian convenience-store access to authorized nicotine pouches, though the company has not established a direct causal link between the two.
Sep.14
Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Product | PMI Launches ZYN Melts in UK, Extending ZYN Beyond Nicotine Pouches Into Dissolvable Tablets
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched ZYN Melts in the UK, introducing a fully dissolvable oral nicotine tablet format alongside the brand's existing nicotine pouches. The range includes Cool Mint and Peppermint, each offered at 1mg and 2mg of nicotine per tablet, creating four SKUs. Each can contains 20 tablets and is priced at £6.50 in the UK. Unlike ZYN nicotine pouches, Melts are placed between the upper lip and gum and dissolve completely during use.
News
Sep.29 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Product | KT&G Launches lil HYBRID 3.0 Misty Rosé Edition II in South Korea With Two Pink Finishes at 88,000 Won
Product | KT&G Launches lil HYBRID 3.0 Misty Rosé Edition II in South Korea With Two Pink Finishes at 88,000 Won
South Korean tobacco company KT&G launched the limited-edition lil HYBRID 3.0 Misty Rosé Edition II on September 30, 2026, following the original Misty Rosé Edition introduced in November 2025. The new release comes in two pink finishes, Bloom Rosé and Viva Rosé, each priced at 88,000 won. Both versions initially went on sale through the lil Store online shop and lil MINIMALIUM flagship stores. From October 7, Bloom Rosé became available at approximately 1,500 lil Station retail outlets nationwide. The release retains the existing lil HYBRID 3.0 hybrid heated tobacco platform, with changes focused on exterior design and distribution.
product
Oct.10
Kumulus Vape2026 H1 Revenue Falls 8.3% but Profit Rises 24% as B2B Weakens and Consumer Channels Grow
Kumulus Vape2026 H1 Revenue Falls 8.3% but Profit Rises 24% as B2B Weakens and Consumer Channels Grow
French vaping company Kumulus Vape reported first-half 2026 revenue of €25.5 million, down 8.3% year over year, as its core B2B distribution business fell 11% to €21.6 million. B2C and store-network revenue rose 5.6% and 17.8%, respectively. Commercial margin increased to 26.3% from 21.7%, while net profit rose 24.1% to €0.8 million. The company attributed the profitability improvement to catalog optimization, logistics restructuring and the ramp-up of Labster, its in-house production unit for proprietary brands.
Market
Sep.17 by 2Firsts Perspectives