ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the
Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on tobacco
and vaping restrictions, highlighting the need for a tighter
regulatory framework around the vaping market to prevent youth
access and encourage recycling.
The submission outlines ACS’ position on two key areas being
looked at by the Government – the introduction of a generational
tobacco ban that would make it an offence for anyone born on or
after 1st January 2009 to purchase tobacco products; and the
consideration of a wide range of interventions in the
vaping/e-cigarette market to address concerns about youth access
and environmental impact.
On the general tobacco ban, ACS has set out a number of concerns
about the practical implications of the policy, including the
potential for growth in the illicit tobacco trade as a result,
the need for consistent and effective Government communication
about the ban and the required associated age verification
policies for retailers, and the risk of abuse directed at shop
workers by people who are being asked for proof of age when
attempting to purchase tobacco products.
On the future of the vaping market in the UK, ACS has made it
clear that it supports the Government’s core objectives to
prevent young people from accessing vaping products and to reduce
the environmental impact of disposable devices. ACS has called on
the government to take an ‘enforcement first’ approach, meaning
prioritising more funding for agencies like Trading Standards and
not introducing policies that will be difficult to enforce.
The submission states that ACS does not support a ban on
disposable vapes, which would create an immediate boom for the
illicit market and do little to stop those already trading
illegitimately. ACS has called for the Government to drastically
increase the availability of and education around recycling
infrastructure to avoid so called ‘disposable’ vapes being thrown
away.
There is also support in the submission for tighter rules on the
kinds of packaging and vape flavour descriptors that are
available. Any products that directly appeal to children should
be banned, but it’s important that a range of flavours remain
available to adult consumers, which is a key reason why smokers
make the switch from tobacco to vapes.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The government has set
out its intention to press ahead with a generational tobacco ban,
but it must consider all of the implications and risks to ensure
that the retailers and colleagues on the front line of enforcing
such a ban are properly equipped to do so. Our members have a
proud record of preventing underage sales through the widespread
adoption of Challenge25 as an in-store age verification policy,
but these rules will require a separate approach that all
colleagues will need to be trained to implement.
“The purpose of consulting on the future of vaping should be that
we end up with a properly regulated, sustainable and responsible
market that continues to help people quit smoking, but that is
not accessible to young people. An outright ban on disposable
vapes would be a step too far and bolster the dangerous illicit
trade, so we must work to ensure that vape recycling, flavours,
and proof of age policies are being addressed through targeted
regulation and enforcement, delivered by Trading Standards at a
local level.”
The full submission is available in the submissions section of
the ACS website.
