Government in new crackdown on ‘unacceptable’ vape advertising to youngsters
The Government is to launch a brand new crackdown on vape advertising to forestall the “unacceptable” focusing on of youngsters and younger individuals, Rishi Sunak has mentioned.
Ministers have pledged to shut a loophole permitting retailers to present free samples of vapes to youngsters in England amid considerations over the variety of youngsters attempting e-cigarettes.
The transfer comes days after the Prime Minister used an look on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to specific concern about his personal daughters probably being focused by vape advertising.
The Government mentioned that there may even be a evaluate into banning retailers promoting “nicotine-free” vapes to under-18s.
This will embody wanting on the guidelines on issuing fines to retailers that illegally promote vapes to youngsters, which the Government mentioned might make it simpler for native buying and selling requirements officers to difficulty on-the-spot fines and glued penalty notices.
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Ministers cited NHS figures from 2021 that confirmed that 9% of 11-to-15-year-olds used e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.
The Prime Minister mentioned he was “deeply concerned” concerning the enhance in youngsters vaping and was “shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of schoolchildren”.
“Our new illicit vape enforcement squad – backed by £3 million – is on the case but clearly there is more to do,” he mentioned.
“The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good.”
Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Chris Whitty mentioned the choice to shut the loophole was a “very welcome step”.
“Whilst vaping can be an effective quitting tool for smokers, it is important that non-smokers are not encouraged to start vaping,” he mentioned.
“There has been a particularly worrying rise in the number of children using vapes, with companies clearly marketing these products at children using colours, flavours and cheap disposable options.
“Closing the loophole that allows companies to give out free samples of vaping products to under-18s is a very welcome step in tackling some of the harms caused by the vaping industry.
“We should continue to encourage smokers to swap to vaping as the lesser risk, whilst preventing the marketing and sale of vapes to children.”
The crackdown may even see the well being dangers of vaping included in Relationships, Sex and Health Education classes as a part of the continued authorities evaluate of the curriculum.
Dedicated police college liaison officers may even work to maintain unlawful vapes out of faculties.
Health minister Neil O’Brien referred to as any advertising of vaping merchandise to youngsters “shameful”.
He mentioned the Government would “review the rules on issuing on-the-spot fines to shops that break the law by selling vapes to underage youngsters, and look into banning the sale of nicotine-free vapes to under-18s – which we know can be a gateway to using nicotine products”.
Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow well being secretary, referred to as the announcement a “baby step”.
“We have to act now to stop a new generation of kids getting hooked on nicotine,” the Labour MP mentioned.
“But the Conservatives voted down Labour’s plan to ban the marketing of vapes to children. This new announcement is a baby step when we need urgent action now.
“The next Labour government will come down like a tonne of bricks on those pushing vapes to kids.”
Deborah Arnott, chief government of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, mentioned the proposals have been welcome however have been “not the tough action that’s needed”.
She mentioned the announcement wanted to be adopted by “more detailed action”.
“The most important immediate step the Government could take now is to put a tax on the cheap disposables which are the vape of choice for children, as well as being bad for the environment,” she mentioned.
Industry figures welcomed the proposals.
Gillian Golden, chief government of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, mentioned: “The loophole allowing free samples to be distributed regardless of consumer age is a gap that no self-respecting business should ever have considered exploiting.”
Joe Murillo, chief regulatory officer of Juul Labs, mentioned: “Vapes have a role to play in helping adult smokers transition away from cigarettes, but more needs to be done to combat underage use of these products.”