JUUL joins UKVIA

JUUL Labs UK has joined the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), according to a joint press note issued yesterday.

Since the UKVIA was formed by top vaping brands in 2016, it has been at the forefront of spreading the positive public health message about vaping to the UK’s smokers.

“The UKVIA is a partnership of the leading most respected vaping brands in the UK,” John Dunne (pictured), director of the UKVIA was quoted as saying.

“We only allow companies to become members if they share our ambition to set high standards for the industry and our aim to help the UK’s seven million adult smokers make a life changing switch to a safer alternative.

“Our new code of conduct confirms the standards that all of our members follow every day as they work to grow and expand the dynamic vaping industry.

“That’s why we are delighted that JUUL have decided to join the Association in recognition of our shared aims and values. We are excited to work with them to achieve the ambitious aims of the UKVIA.”

Meanwhile, Dan Thomson, JUUL Labs UK’s MD said the UKVIA’s new code of conduct had been a crucial part of JUUL’s decision to join the Association.

He made special note of the UKVIA’s Challenge 25, which was aimed at restricting youth access – a key policy that JUUL had enforced since it launched in the UK last year.

“This is alongside a wider program of responsible measures that we have implemented exceeding regulatory or legal requirements, including sanctions for any non-compliant retailers on Challenge 25; two-factor authentication for purchase online; a limited range of adult-focused flavours; marketing which is entirely focused on adult smokers over 30 years; and zero presence on social media,” he said.

“JUUL’s mission is to improve the lives of the world’s one billion adult smokers and to achieve this we are committed to having an open dialogue with government and stakeholders to promote vaping and its benefits over combustible cigarettes. Greater collaboration across the sector will provide both the wider industry and the UKVIA with a more credible voice to achieve our mission.”