Take action to stop vapes being restricted too harshly!
Tighter regulations on vaping are set to be implemented as the government reveals plans for new legislation. But, they’ve opened to floor to your opinions. Now is the time to speak up against vape restrictions in the UK.
What is being discussed?
- changes over how vape products are described
- redesigning packaging, possible removing logos and colours completely.
- banning vape flavours.
- displays in shops being moved to behind the counter or hidden.
- an outright ban on disposable vapes.
Flavour description and packaging
Vape products are currently subject to strict advertising regulations imposed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which prohibits the use of certain images and messages in ads[1]. The government’s goal is to expand on these restrictions by prohibiting the use of cartoon characters and logos that may be attractive to children. This, in conjunction with the implementation of plain packaging, aims to align the “point of sale” restrictions for vape products with those for cigarette advertising and marketing. However, most reputable e-cig suppliers already avoid products that have cartoon-like imagery or mascots on the packaging. If these were banned, it wouldn’t greatly affect vaping in the UK.
In terms of plain packaging and no colours, this could impact the number of vapers. The emotional impact of colour is undeniable. It has the potential to shape a customer’s perception of a brand or product. In addition, colour can affect how people perceive taste. It’s common for individuals to make assumptions about the flavour and taste of a product based on its colour before even trying it. As a result, manufacturers often select colours that correspond to the flavours of their e-cigarettes. For instance, mint is typically associated with green, while red is commonly associated with strawberry[2].
Banning flavours
As discussed in a previous blog, there is clear evidence that vape bans don’t work. The problem with vaping isn’t flavoured e-liquids, but rather the importation of illegal devices and the sale of e-cigarettes to minors. Flavours can aid adult smokers in switching to a healthier alternative and quitting smoking altogether. The focus should be on stricter import regulations, harsher penalties for unethical retailers, and potentially limiting the sale of e-cigarettes to licensed vendors[3].
When transitioning to vaping, you distance yourself from smoking. Initially, many people opt for familiar tobacco or menthol flavours. However, opting for non-tobacco flavours takes you further away from smoking and makes it harder to go back. The enjoyment of vaping is increased with flavours, which can make it easier to stick with vaping as a method of quitting smoking. This enjoyment is likely to increase after the first few weeks of vaping, as your sense of taste returns. Smoking can affect your sense of taste, but as it improves, so does your ability to appreciate different flavours[4].
Displays in shops
To decrease the appeal of vape products to children, stores will remove them from open display. Some experts in the field suggest that vape products should only be sold by licensed re-sellers, similar to how cigarettes and alcohol are sold, which would eliminate their presence in sweet shops and corner stores. This is one that I actually agree with. While it may impact the number of new vapers slightly, the pros far outweigh the cons.
Banning disposables
In the UK, approximately 1.3 million disposable vapes are thrown away each week, with the majority being disposed of in general waste or, even worse, littered[5]. This is harmful to the environment as they all contain lithium-ion batteries, which can cause damage to ecosystems by leaking heavy metals if left to degrade. Furthermore, damaged batteries can explode, leading to waste fires, and Material Focus reports that over 700 fires in bin lorries and waste centres are caused by batteries[6].
According to a recent report by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), there has been a 50% increase in the number of children who have experimented with vaping compared to the previous year. The report also suggests that the main reason for this trend is peer influence[7]. Disposable e-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in recent years, and they are now widely available in many retail stores, including those that previously did not sell vaping products[8]. As a result, some retailers with less strict age verification policies are selling these products, making them more accessible to underage users, particularly due to their affordable price.
Before resorting to a disposable ban, there are several measures that the UK government can implement. For instance, they can limit the sale of vapes to licensed stores, thereby reducing their availability. Additionally, they can impose a tax on single-use vapes to make them less affordable. Another crucial step would be to enhance border control to curb the illegal black market. However, if a total ban were imposed, the vaping industry would be significantly affected.
So that was our look at the suggested vape restrictions in the UK. Fill in the survey and voice your opinions at the link below.
Sources
[1] Advertising Standards Authority. (2018). Electronic cigarettes: General.
[2] Zhigulin, S. (2022). Colouring vapes: a matter of life and death.
[3] Foster, P. (2023). Should Flavoured Vapes Be Banned?
[4] Vape Smoke Free. (n.d). Why Flavours are Important.
[5] Tapper, J. (2023). Single-use vapes sparking surge in fires at UK waste plants.
[6] Material Focus. (2022). Over 700 fires in bin lorries and recycling centres are caused by batteries many of which are hidden inside electricals.
[7] Action on Smoking Health. (2023). Use of e-cigarettes among young people in Great Britain.
[8] Brown, R et al. (2021). Implementation of e-cigarette regulation through the EU Tobacco Products Directive (2016) in Wales, Scotland and England from the perspectives of stakeholders involved in policy introduction and enforcement.
