The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) welcomes Baroness Merrion’s support for introducing a vape licensing scheme this week.
During a House of Lords debate on youth vaping, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care said the government was “actively considering” a vape licensing scheme.
According to a press release, the UKVIA has long supported the introduction of vape licensing to fund a nationwide Trading Standards enforcement program to clamp down hard on rogue retailers who sell illicit products or sell to those under 18.
“Will the government consider the impact of [the] lack of enforcement and introduce a licensing system with substantial fines for those who sell vapes without a license and for all outlets who sell to children, as well as any unlicensed vaping products?” Baroness Walmsey asked.
Baroness Merron replied: “Licensing may well be beneficial for strengthening enforcement, supporting legitimate businesses, deterring rogue retailers and ultimately supporting the mission of improved public health. It is an area that we are actively considering for inclusion in the [Tobacco and Vapes] Bill.”
UKVIA Director General John Dunne said: “We have been calling for a robust and effective vape licensing scheme – backed up by fines of at least £10,000 for those who sell for children – for years now, but this fell on deaf ears with the previous Conservative administration. Such a scheme could generate upwards of £50 million annually to fund a much-needed national Trading Standards enforcement program at no cost to the Treasury.
“The Sunak government tried to rush through the Tobacco and Vapes will without proper debate and I am very much encouraged at the message given by Baroness Walmsey. I am delighted that serious thought is being given to amending the proposed legislation to include vape licensing so that youth vaping can successfully be tackled and the focus of vaping can once more return to helping adult smokers quit.
“I look forward to meeting with ministers to discuss this and other ways to close the loopholes that allow illegal products to enter the supply chain here in the UK.”