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.

Malaysia Liquid Nicotine Returns to Poisons List, Leaving Vape Retail and RM354 Million Tax Collection in Legal Uncertainty
Malaysia Liquid Nicotine Returns to Poisons List, Leaving Vape Retail and RM354 Million Tax Collection in Legal Uncertainty
Malaysia’s withdrawal of its appeal in a landmark liquid-nicotine case has left a High Court ruling that struck down the 2023 nicotine exemption in force, bringing liquid and gel nicotine used in vaping products back under the Poisons Act 1952. At the same time, the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 continues to provide a regulatory framework for vaping products, creating uncertainty over retail sales, taxation and existing inventory. MPs are calling for nicotine vape sales and excise collection to stop, including refunds of more than RM354 million collected since 2023, while industry and consumer groups are asking the government to clarify the current legal position.
Sep.04
China Tobacco Zhejiang files patent for pressure-triggered, on-demand oral nicotine release
China Tobacco Zhejiang files patent for pressure-triggered, on-demand oral nicotine release
China Tobacco Zhejiang Industrial Co., Ltd. has filed a patent application for an oral nicotine delivery product designed to let users actively adjust nicotine release. The product embeds two types of nicotine reservoirs with different wall thicknesses and positions inside a deformable matrix. Pressure applied with the tongue or lips can rupture the reservoirs and accelerate nicotine release. In simulated oral tests, several patent examples showed sharply higher peak nicotine release rates as applied force increased from 0 N to 1 N and 3 N. The filing explores a shift from preset release profiles toward user-triggered nicotine delivery.
Sep.01
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Kelly White Bets on Female Consumers as Nicotine Pouch Competition Intensifies | 2Firsts Interview
Swedish nicotine pouch brand Kelly White is building its strategy around adult female consumers. Founder and CEO Sophia Wilsby told 2Firsts that women accounted for around 70% of the brand’s repeat customers on HAYPP in Sweden in 2025. The interview explores female consumer segmentation, product and design differentiation, gender stereotypes, packaging regulation, and how independent brands can compete with global players such as ZYN and VELO while considering funding, partnerships and future ownership options.
Business
Sep.24
Smoke-Free Business Hits 42% of Q2 Net Revenue as PMI’s First TNFD Report Covers Single-Use Electronics, Critical Raw Materials and IQOS Repairs
Smoke-Free Business Hits 42% of Q2 Net Revenue as PMI’s First TNFD Report Covers Single-Use Electronics, Critical Raw Materials and IQOS Repairs
Philip Morris International has published its first report aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, bringing its electronics supply chain and the use and end-of-life stages of smoke-free devices and consumables into its nature-related assessment. PMI said its smoke-free business accounted for about 42% of total net revenues in the second quarter of 2026. The report says non-circular electronic products, particularly single-use items, can increase consumption of limited natural resources and also details an IQOS repair pilot. A 2040 circularity scenario tests assumptions including a 50% reduction in product waste-related costs, 10% raw-material savings and a 25% substitution rate for refurbished products versus new products.
Sep.23
Germany Probes 7.6 Million Illegal Vape Case With Estimated €33.3 Million Tax Loss; Four Chinese Manufacturer Employees Under Investigation, Some Packaging in Enforcement Images Resembles FUMOT Products
Germany Probes 7.6 Million Illegal Vape Case With Estimated €33.3 Million Tax Loss; Four Chinese Manufacturer Employees Under Investigation, Some Packaging in Enforcement Images Resembles FUMOT Products
German prosecutors and customs authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into an alleged cross-border organised vape network. Authorities say that between January 2024 and March 2025, four employees of an unnamed Chinese e-cigarette manufacturer allegedly built a network of sales agents and wholesalers that brought more than 7.6 million nicotine disposable vapes into Germany, causing an estimated €33.3 million in excise-tax losses. The manufacturer has not been named. Some products visible in enforcement images have packaging resembling products from FUMOT’s portfolio. European regulatory records from 2024, FUMOT’s public overseas-sales materials and records involving German vape importer and distribution company Zamu-Pro GmbH also show FUMOT/RandM products and German distribution activity during the period covered by the investigation.
Sep.21
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
According to SGST on August 26, 2026, Australia’s Coalition Illegal Tobacco Taskforce released a report recommending an up to 80% cut in tobacco excise to reduce the appeal of the illicit tobacco market. The report claimed organised crime groups now control about 80% of Australia’s tobacco market and argued that high excise rates have widened the price gap between legal and illegal products. The recommendation remains a policy proposal and has not been adopted by the Australian government, which said its focus remains on enforcement, compliance and additional resources.
Aug.27