Illegal Sales Attacked by IBVTA
The BBC is reporting that children are at risk from illegal vape sales and the Independent British Vape Trade Association has expressed its concern
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by Dave Cross
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“The colourful, sweet-flavoured devices are growing in popularity among teens,” says a BBC article. “Some teachers say vaping is becoming a problem in secondary schools.”
Anecdotal? Yes, but grounded in recent research published by Action on Smoking on Health (ASH UK) and covered by Planet of the Vapes last week.
The BBC say: “Radio 5live joined trading standards officers in Newcastle carrying out spot checks on shops, they found that two out of the 10 stores visited that day sold vaping products illegally to girls aged 15 and 17.”
Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA) Chairman Marcus Saxton, speaking to BBC Radio Kent’s Wake Up Call show, said that illegal vapes concern the trade organisation a lot.
Marcus Saxton continued: “[Illegal sales] undermine the great work that’s been going on with the vast majority of businesses in this industry, that has taken place since 2008 and helped over 3.6 million smokers make the switch. But it’s really important. Anything around illegal, non-compliant vapes and/or getting into the hands of youths is something that we take really seriously and support the authorities to stamp down on.
Mr Saxton added that the United Kingdom has embraced electronic cigarettes because of the evidence demonstrating how well it works to help smokers switch away from tobacco products.
“The regulations are in play for a specific reason,” he added. “So, anything that seeks to entice people with something that’s larger or contains greater nicotine is just totally flouting this regulation – and certainly undermines the great work that’s gone on by the vast majority.”
Speaking about the retail chain he works for, Totally Wicked, Mr Saxton continued to explain that they see a large number of clients entering shops and asking for the illegal disposables.
“When we inform them that these are not regulated and should not be sold on the UK market, a number become educated and walk away with the right product, but there are some still that seek to go and find those larger products with greater nicotine,” Marcus Saxton continued.
The IBVTA Chairman stated that both UK consumers and retailers need educating about the potential dangers illegal vapes pose, adding that the IBVTA is playing a role in doing just that.
References:
- Disposables Survey Fuels Teen Concern - https://www.planetofthevapes.co.uk/news/health-studies/2022-07-11_disposables-survey-fuels-teen-concern.html
- The Independent British Vape Trade Association - https://www.ibvta.org.uk/
- Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) - Use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among young people in Great Britain. 2022 - Download here
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 vape companies to develop content for their websites.
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