Vaping Industry condemns US ‘Vape Mail’ ban
Vaping Industry condemns US ‘Vape Mail’ ban as UK businesses feel shipping fallout
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by Dave Cross
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FedEx cites “cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco, smokeless tobacco, hooka or shisha, vaporizers (and) E-cigarettes” as ‘tobacco products’ which will no longer be accepted. UPS will prohibit “any and all non-combustible liquid or gel, regardless of the presence of nicotine, capable of being used with or for the consumption of nicotine” as well as “all related vape devices, products and accessories are included in this prohibition.”
Bans across the US carrier network are set to apply to both import and export.
John Dunne, Director General at UKVIA(1), said: “The vaping supply chain is a global one, bringing together resources and expertise from around the world. It is bitterly disappointing to see these American restrictions having a negative impact in the UK, but the nature of the supply chain makes it inevitable. In the EU too we are hearing of vaping businesses being turned away from major carriers.
“The potential impact on public health is grave, as so many people are relying on shipped goods as a lifeline during the pandemic. Without proper access to harm-reduction products we know people can revert to smoking cigarettes, today in the US but perhaps tomorrow in the UK. With businesses already struggling through lockdown, and our health services under great strain, supply chain issues really are the last thing we need.
“I call on the distribution industry, many of whom have been partners of the vaping industry for many years, to do all they can to support their UK customers, and to avoid the blanket implementation of US restrictions worldwide.
“Furthermore, I call on the UK Government, to ensure that carriers in this country are free to continue to deliver vaping products to retailers and direct to consumers, and to resist any urge to follow the US down this regressive route.”
UKVIA members, such as Celtic Vapours(2), have already been affected. Their director, Joe Bevan, said: “We have had orders not being collected, and our own shops not receiving stock in a reliable manner, all of which impacts customers. As the majority of our business is currently online we need efficient delivery of stock to provide the quickest service.”
Richard Russell, Operations Manager at retailer Vape Distribution(3), said: “At a time when many vapers are unfortunately unable to visit their local vape store, this is making it even more difficult for them to receive the consumable products they rely upon. Certain carriers perhaps don’t realise that this action could lead vapers to revert back to smoking.”
References:
- UKVIA - www.ukvia.co.uk
- Celtic Vapours - https://celticvapours.com
- Vape Distribution - https://www.vapedistribution.co.uk/
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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