The government is taking steps to regulate the sale of vapes and cigarettes by requiring shops to have licenses, aiming to crack down on unauthorized sellers. In addition to licensing requirements, authorities are evaluating the flavors and ingredients of vaping products to deter youth from starting the habit. The proposed measures seek to address the current loophole that allows any business to sell tobacco and vapes, leading to the widespread availability of cheap illicit products to minors.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock emphasized the importance of closing this regulatory gap to protect children and ensure that retailers are selling legitimate products. The government is also consulting experts on issues such as vape flavors, nicotine levels, and product appearance as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create a smoke-free generation and prevent youth addiction.
Under the new proposals, businesses selling tobacco and vaping products without a license could face substantial fines or immediate penalties. Recent research conducted by King’s College London and University College London suggests that implementing plain packaging for vapes could discourage young people from trying these products. The study revealed that displaying branded packaging and flavors increased interest among surveyed children aged 11 to 18, but this interest decreased significantly when plain packaging and flavor descriptions were used instead.