Tobacco Firm Welcomes New Approach
British American Tobacco has welcomed the proposed new retail licensing system as key intervention to stop underage vaping but warns fines for breaking the law are too low
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by Dave Cross
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British American Tobacco (BAT UK) has welcomed the proposed new retail licensing system as key intervention to stop underage vaping but warns fines for breaking the law are too low. It says the £200 fines need to be increased if it is to be an effective deterrent but goes on to say it also supports a ban on flavours that resemble dessert, sweets or soft drinks. BAT UK is calling for fruit flavours to be protected as they are the most used flavour range by adults.
BAT UK has welcomed the introduction of a retail licence scheme as a step in the right direction to prevent underage vaping and tackle illicit vape sales. The Government announced that it will introduce a retail licence scheme for tobacco, vapes and nicotine products, similar to that which already exists for alcohol. Going forward, this means vapes will only be sold by someone with a licence, and that this licence can be stripped from retailers who are found to act irresponsibly, such as those that stock and sell illicit vapes.
BAT UK says it has repeatedly called for enhanced regulation of the UK vape market and has strongly advocated for this system to be introduced. Earlier this year, BAT UK says it commissioned polling which showed that overwhelmingly 89% of the UK public support the introduction of a vape retail licence scheme.
BAT UK also commissioned polling of retailers which found that 76% of shopkeepers were also in favour of the creation such a scheme. However, it holds concerns that the £200 penalties for those caught selling to the underage or selling single-use vapes after they have been banned is not high enough and must be increased it if it to be an effective deterrent.
In response to the planned consultation on flavours, BAT UK has reiterated its support for a ban on flavours that appeal to the underage, such as those that resemble desserts, sweets, or soft drinks.
There is no logic behind banning these popular flavours and vapers will be upset at such support for an evidence-free proposal.
However, BAT UK has however warned that fruit flavours are important for adult smokers looking to transition away from cigarettes. Very few adults choose products with no flavours and recent ASH data shows that fruit flavours are by far the most popular amongst adults at 47%, followed by menthol at 17%.
Asli Ertonguc, Head of BAT UK & Western Europe said: “We have long called for and supported tighter restrictions on where vaping products can be sold. A retail licensing system is a necessary intervention to clamp down on underage access, so we welcome the introduction of such a system in this new Tobacco and Vapes Bill. A retail license works for alcohol, and we believe it will work for vaping.
“However, we are disappointed at the level of fines the Government appears set to implement for those caught breaking the law as it is unlikely to deter unscrupulous retailers. Prioritising enforcement, be it through more resource and harsher penalties, is the only way to ensure that any regulatory change has the desired impact.”
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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