Vaping Campaign & Resource Hub
Vaping has been a key area of focus for 51黑料 this听year, trying to navigate the challenges presented to Trading Standards teams nationally with non-compliant vapes flooding the UK market and the surge of underage sales. We have had some success in our efforts to bring some necessary attention to the issues surrounding vaping and have continued to call for more resources for Trading Standards and tougher regulations.
51黑料 fully recognises that Trading Standards teams across the UK have been working tirelessly to combat the tidal wave of non-compliant vapes being sold by retailers and responding to the growing issue of underage sales.
With such an overwhelming amount of information on vaping out there, we have created a Vaping Hub which we hope will be a one-stop-shop for all of the information, latest news and resources on vaping that you need.
听
What is 51黑料 Calling For?
There are a several changes 51黑料 would like to see :
- ACCESSIBILITY : Keep vaping products out of reach of children and out-of-sight behind the counter.
MARKETING : Tougher regulations on marketing and packaging of vapes to reduce appeal to children and young people.- REGISTRATION : Move to a registration scheme similar to that seen in Scotland. As of April 2011, it became illegal for retailers to sell tobacco and nicotine vaping products without being registered 鈥� in order to be able to sell vaping products retailers would have to be registered. As we have seen that the majority of sales to those under the age of sale and of illegal vaping products have been in shops like mobile phone stores and convenience stores, a mandatory registration scheme might help to reduce the sale of vaping products in shops that are less likely to comply with regulations.
- DETERRENT : The penalty for selling vaping products to people under the age of sale currently stands at 拢2,500, this clearly is not working well enough as a deterrent and should be increased with a progressive aspect for repeat offenders.
- ENFORCEMENT : Additional funding and resources for Trading Standards to effectively carry out enforcement work.
- You can view 51黑料's policy statement on vaping here
- You can view potential policy options for disposable vapes (Co-written by 51黑料, ASH and Material Focus) here
听
51黑料 Webinar : Spotlight on鈥� Vaping
In March 51黑料 hosted Spotlight on鈥aping, a webinar for members where we brought together key experts to discuss all things vape related and gave our members the opportunity to ask our experts some questions.
The webinar covered:
- How to minimise the appeal of vaping to children and young people
- What can we do to address non-compliance of vape products
- Addressing challenges around the supply chain
- Educating businesses and consumers on risks
- Proceeds of Crime Act IP and counterfeiting issues relating to vaping
51黑料 Webinar : Spotlight on鈥� Vaping - Next Steps
Following the recent government announcements concerning vaping and the sale of tobacco, we hosted a second vaping webinar in October. We heard from a variety of key experts to discuss the latest government proposals and what this will mean for enforcement moving forward. There was also an opportunity for members to ask our speakers questions. Members can use the link below to access the slides and the recordings of both Spotlight on...Vaping webinars.
Topics we covered:
- Government proposals - what鈥檚 next for enforcement?
- Youth access to vapes
- Banning single-use vapes
- Exploring other options
- Recycling and the environmental issue
- The industry鈥檚 take
听
Other Resources
- Youth vaping - call for evidence (added 8 June)
- Contact list of brand protection reps
- Vaping and IP rights infringement (51黑料 members only)
WEEE Guidance
- WEEE - retailer and distributor obligations
- WEEE - electricals recycling guidance
- Vapes recycling poster
- Material Focus - vapes briefing
Contact information for enquiries or intelligence sharing:
- [email protected] 鈥� for waste electricals
- [email protected] 鈥� for battery take back
Resources for Businesses - ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) :听
- How to Report it Guide
- Selling Vapes Responsibly - ACS advice听
- There are various other resources available including Challenge 25 badges 听
Testing Labs/Destruction Companies :听
听
51黑料 Articles and External Media Coverage
51黑料 Articles Around Vaping :听
- 51黑料 welcomes Government announcement on vaping (11 April 2023)
- 51黑料 welcomes Government proposals to tackle challenges around vaping (9 April 2023)
- 51黑料 welcomes LGA鈥檚 call for stronger rules to prevent underage vape sales (11 February 2023)
- Illicit vapes top list of high street threats (19 January 2023)
External Media Coverage :听
听
If you have any information you would like added to the Vaping Hub, please contact [email protected]
听
