The All-Party Parliamentary Group For Responsible Vaping
Politicians have seen the launch of a new All-Party Parliamentary Group, this one is the APPG For Responsible Vaping
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by Dave Cross
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The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Responsible Vaping has been established “to ensure the raft of government measures on vaping are balanced and proportionate whilst acting to encourage and highlight sector led improvement”, according to the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA). The trade body is supporting this third AAPG that will offer its opinions on vaping.
IBVTA Says parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, including a former Health Secretary, have come together to launch this cross-party group on vaping. The APPG for Responsible Vaping will provide a voice on vaping issues within Parliament and with a clear focus on proportionate regulation and responsibility within the sector.
The inaugural meeting saw the election of Gareth Johnson (MP for Dartford) as Chair. The following Officers were also elected: Mary Glindon (MP for North Tyneside) as Vice Chair, Mark Logan (MP for Bolton North East) and Mark Eastwood (MP for Dewsbury).
The new Group aims to act as a focal point for vaping issues within Parliament, particularly in making representation to government as it seeks to introduce a series of measures in the coming months, including a new vape tax, potential restrictions on flavours and a ban on disposable devices to regulate the sector.
The APPG will also seek to understand and highlight best practice in the sector in supporting adults to quit smoking as well as addressing key issues including stopping children accessing vapes, protecting the environment and tackling the illicit vape trade. The industry is making efforts to address these issues including launching an industry code of conduct with changes to products, descriptors and flavours. The APPG will play a role to highlight and encourage industry led improvement.
The IBVTA says millions of smokers have quit due to switching to vaping but there are still 6.4 million UK smokers and highlighted that its research showed 46% of smokers and 37% ex-smokers in the UK have used vaping as a tool to kick cigarettes, and a substantial 72% of ex-smokers (quit in the past 5 years) stating that single use vapes helped achieve a smoke-free life.
IBVTA research found that of those that vape, 41% used fruit flavours, and 8% used other flavours such as cola and vanilla most often. This represents almost half of all those who vape. 59% report that having a range of flavours helps them to reduce their smoking or from going back to smoking.
Vaping is already estimated to contribute to about 50,000 to 70,000 additional smoking quits in England. As MPs decide on proposed regulations during the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – it is clear that disproportioned restrictions on flavours would undermine the Government’s ambitions for a smokefree future by 2030.
Chair of the Responsible Vaping APPG, Gareth Johnson MP said: “I have been interested in the benefits of vaping for some time. There are now millions of former UK smokers who quit thanks to vaping. However, the sheer volume of legislation proposed on the sector over the next 18 months is considerable and its critical we get the balance right.
“The APPG will act as a focal point for vaping issues within Parliament, particularly in making representation to Government as it seeks to introduce a raft of measures in the coming months, including a new vape tax and a ban on disposable vapes. The Vapes Bill introduced to parliament this week will also give government wide ranging, and as yet, undefined enabling powers to regulate packaging, display and flavours.
“Vaping has the potential to save so many more lives whilst if half of every current smoke quit, it would save the NHS £500 million per year. But it is critical as this weight of legislation is designed and moves forward onto the statue book, that there is a strong voice on vaping in parliament. I would therefore urge ministers to constructively engage with the APPG over the coming months to ensure that the regime we end up with is fair and balanced, safeguards children and the environment, without risking the many benefits that vaping can bring.”
Given the threat posed to eliquid flavours, Planet of the Vapes hopes that the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Responsible Vaping is successful in delivering on its aims.
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Photo by Shreyas Sane on Unsplash
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.
