Trade Bodies Respond to UCL Research
The Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) and the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) have responded to studies by University College London researchers
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by Dave Cross
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The Independent British Vape Trade Association has responded to University College London research and said the findings show the Government’s smoke-free ambition is stalling. Using data obtained from adults participating in the Smoking Toolkit Study, the research team concluded that reductions in smoking prevalence among middle-aged adults and sustained increases in quit attempts and cessation among smokers have been offset by a sustained rise in smoking among young adults.
Upon analysing the results, the team concluded in the research: “As a result, the rate of decline in adult smoking prevalence in England has stagnated. Changes in use of support predominantly occurred in the early stages of the pandemic and have since returned to usual levels. There was no evidence to suggest the pandemic increased the risk of early or late relapse. The slowing in the rate of decline in smoking prevalence was pronounced in more advantaged social grades.”
The Independent British Vape Trade Association’s Chair Marcus Saxton reacted by saying: “This important research from UCL shows that the Government’s smoke-free ambition is stalling. The authors also rightly point to the media attention on vaping and the subsequent disconnect between the substantially greater risks from smoking. 43 per cent of smokers believe that vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking, an increase of 60 per cent since 2019. These are truly shocking figures, reflecting the never-ending cycle of negative stories on vaping, therefore it is of no surprise that smoking rates remain stubbornly high.
“The focus on vaping, particularly single use products that are important to quit attempts is driving this misperception. We welcome proportionate legislation, but these smoking figures show now is not the time to ban those vaping devices and flavours that are crucial to getting smokers to quit tobacco.
“There are clear challenges for the vaping sector but through a proportionate and evidence-based approach vaping can remain a vital smoking cessation tool and encourage those smokers to make that switch before it is too late.”
According to the UK Vaping Industry Association, the other study (covered today by Planet of the Vapes) has reinforced what the trade body “has been saying for some time…that outlawing disposable vapes could have serious consequences on smokers and, consequently, public health.”
The research – which was funded by Cancer Research UK – found that a ban on disposable vapes would affect around two million current and former smokers.
The UKVIA recently launched a petition warning the government against removing or restricting disposables and flavours – which have both played a key role in bringing the UK’s smoking rates to a record low. The petition was launched as part of its ongoing "Save Vaping, Save Lives" campaign.
The UKVIA reiterated that disposable single-use vapes are intended to help adults quit cigarette use – “which lead to 250 deaths everyday in the UK alone. Vaping products of any kind should not be used by never-smokers or anyone under the age of 18.”
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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