IBVTA Calling For Help
The Independent British Vape Trade Association releases new findings warning of the dangers of government proposals and asks consumers to contribute to the government’s consultation
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by Dave Cross
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The Independent British Vape Trade Association contracted market research specialists Opinium to interview 6,000 adults about vaping and smoking intentions.
When asked what they would do if the government decided to follow Action on Smoking and Health’s demand and place a levy on vapes, one and a half thousand said they would vape less and smoke more – or move back to smoking only.
Moreover, 12% said that they would take their chances with illegal vapes sourced from the black market.
The IBVTA “welcomed” the initial announcement that a consultation was going to be held.
At the time, Marcus Saxton, the Independent British Vape Trade Association Chair said: “The IBVTA supports the Prime Minister’s vision of a smoke-free generation, something that commands cross-party support and could save the lives of millions. Vaping is crucial to delivering this. There’s no doubt the industry has faced challenges recently, as illicit products have flooded the market and irresponsible retailers have turned a blind eye to underage sales.
“The risk is that policy goes too far and takes away a vital smoking cessation product when simply enforcing existing rules might be just as impactful.”
With the government claiming to still be working towards its 2030 Smokefree England target, IBVTA says that the findings from the Opinium survey demonstrate that taxing vapes would have a negative impact and drive people back to smoking.
Speaking about the Opinium findings, Marcus Saxton is quoted as saying: “This new research shows that if the government were to restrict flavours or introduce a vape tax it would effectively push people back into smoking and damage the government’s chances of meeting its own smoke free 2030 target. We have no problem with proportionate regulation, but the government needs to look at the compelling and growing evidence before it introduces measures that will ultimately backfire.”
Two fifths of the respondents said that fruits were their preferred flavours and almost ten percent said they enjoyed a good cola vape. In total, two thirds of respondents said that having a wide variety of flavour options was what helped them to quit smoking and remain tobacco-free.
So far, the government has received over 12,000 responses.
You can respond to the government’s consultation here, by Wednesday 6 December 2023.
The IBVTA is currently running an education campaign, demonstrating that it is “committed to promoting a responsible vaping sector that is a partner to government and individuals on the smoking cessation journey.”
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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