According to The Grocer on January 6, a poll commissioned by British American Tobacco (BAT) shows that the British public supports punishing businesses found to be selling vapes to children more severely than the government has recommended.
The UK government plans to issue £200 fixed penalty notices in England and Wales, allowing Trading Standards officials to fine retailers selling vapes to minors on the spot. More than half of respondents in the Focus UK survey commissioned by BAT thought the penalty was “too lenient” and almost two-thirds thought the maximum fine was “too low”.
Asli Ertonguc, head of BAT UK and Western Europe, said:
- “The results are clear. The public feels that the penalties currently proposed are insufficient to protect minors. We should be openly discussing appropriate oversight and implementation while maintaining vapes as an important tool to help the UK achieve its 2030 smoke-free target.”
The UK government’s Tobacco and Vape Bill also includes initial proposals for a licensing regime for retailers, which were widely supported by respondents. The exact details of the plan, including the timing of implementation and penalties for license violations, have not been released.
Some 67 percent of respondents support a “three violations and you’re out” rule, which would permanently dislicense a retailer with three violations.
Ertonju said,
- “Establishing a retail licensing system is a step forward, but unscrupulous retailers will continue to break the law without increased fines and harsher penalties.” For a vape license to be effective, retailers must know that they will lose it if they abuse it.”
The National Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) I believe that the licensing system was proposed without consultation with the retailers most affected by it and that it may include measures to limit the number of licensed businesses in a particular area.
James Lowman. CEO of the Association said at the end of 2024: “Licensing systems can help crack down on illegal markets and punish those who sell to children, but if improperly structured, can also deter legitimate businesses from operating, especially in areas or specific locations where other shops are concentrated.” We should be talking in detail about local shops and other stakeholders, but that hasn’t happened yet.”
While the vape industry has expressed broad support for most of the new bill, it has voiced strong opposition to a possible ban on flavors. The vape Industry Association (UKVIA) said that “a taste ban could hurt those trying to quit,” citing research from OnePoll that said a third of vape users said a taste ban “would make them go back to smoking.” About 83% of vape users surveyed said taste helped them quit smoking.
