new Government crackdown on vape advertising and marketing will stop the “unacceptable” focusing on of kids and younger individuals, Rishi Sunak has mentioned.
Ministers have pledged to shut a loophole permitting retailers to offer free samples of vapes to kids in England, amid issues over the proportion of kids making an attempt 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 and marketing.
Our new illicit vape enforcement squad – backed by £3 million – is on the case however clearly there may be extra to do
The Government mentioned that there will even be a overview into banning retailers promoting “nicotine-free” vapes to under-18s.
There will even be a overview of the foundations on issuing fines to outlets that illegally promote vapes to kids, which the Government mentioned may make it simpler for native buying and selling requirements officers to concern on-the-spot fines and glued penalty notices.
Ministers cited NHS figures from 2021 that confirmed that 9% of 11-15 12 months olds used e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.
The Prime Minister mentioned he was “deeply concerned” about a rise in kids 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.
“That is why I am taking further action today to clamp down on rogue firms who unlawfully target our children with these products.
“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 known as the choice to shut the loophole 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 will even see the well being dangers of vaping included in Relationships, Sex and Health Education classes, as a part of the continued authorities overview of the curriculum.
Dedicated police faculty liaison officers will even work to maintain unlawful vapes out of colleges.
It follows the creation of the “illicit vapes enforcement squad” earlier this 12 months.
Health minister Neil O’Brien known as any advertising and marketing of vaping merchandise to kids “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”.
This new announcement is a child step after we want pressing motion now
Wes Streeting, Labour’s shadow well being secretary, known 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 govt of the charity Action on Smoking and Health, mentioned the proposals had been welcome however had 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.
The loophole permitting free samples to be distributed no matter shopper age is a spot that no self-respecting enterprise ought to ever have thought of exploiting
Industry figures welcomed the Government proposals.
Gillian Golden, chief govt 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.
“We believe that Government, regulators, and industry can collectively take action to reduce the access and appeal of vaping to those underage, including by restricting the sale and marketing of vapes to this group.”
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