After a decade of progressive vaping regulation, the British government plans to revert to micromanaging the vape business with new product limits. Additionally, the government intends to implement its earlier-announced "smokefree generation" plan, which prohibits the sale of cigarettes to anybody born on or after January 1, 2009.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared today that the government would prohibit single-use vaporizers, limit the types of e-liquid available, enforce "plain packaging" guidelines, and control how goods can be arranged in retail establishments. In addition, the government intends to incorporate nicotine-free vaporizers into its vaping guidelines.
"As Prime Minister, it is my duty to act in the long-term best interests of our nation," Sunak stated in a news release. For this reason, I'm taking decisive action to outlaw disposable vaporizers, which are mostly to blame for the growth in teen vaping. I'm also proposing new regulations to limit the flavors of vaporizers, implement plain packaging, and alter how vaporizers are exhibited in stores.
A study by experts from University College London, funded by Cancer Research UK, revealed last week that a ban on disposable vape pens would impact 2.6 million adults and “may have substantial unintended consequences for people who smoke.” Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the main anti-smoking group in Britain, is also against a ban on disposables.
Businesses and consumers can already voice their opposition to the proposed moves by contacting their Members of Parliament, as they will be incorporated into new legislation that must be approved by the UK Parliament. Wales and Scotland will also propose legislation outlawing single-use vaporizers.
After voting on the smokefree generation proposal, the government intends to present a separate measure with the limits on vaping products. This bill will be subject to additional consultations.
It is also said that the government plans to tax vaping items for the first time. According to news reports, the government's budget will be unveiled on March 6 and the vape tax will be included. Taxes on vaping products, according to research, increase sales of cigarettes.
The policy revisions were put forth in reaction to the rise in youth vaping, which the anti-vaping community has attributed to disposable goods and flavors that have been well-liked for more than ten years by adult vapers. According to news reports, flavors other than tobacco, menthol, mint, and "fruit" may be outlawed by the government.
The administration of Sunak has embraced the terminology of tobacco control organizations who advocate for ban, claiming issues with tastes and packaging that are deemed "appealing" to minors.
"It is imperative to acknowledge that adult vaporizers prefer fruit, dessert, and candy flavors over other flavors, with over half of them selecting them," the consumer advocacy group New Nicotine Alliance (NNA) stated in a statement in reaction to the government declaration. "Removing these flavors will make vapes less appealing to smokers who are thinking about switching, and requiring plain packaging will reinforce the widely held misconception that vaping is just as harmful as smoking."
