Netvaper
Achiever
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2021
- Messages
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Below is what I got round to writing to my MP, I don't expect it will do much good but it's better than nothing.
I was a smoker for decades until I gave up over 9 years ago though vaping which is estimated to be twice as effective in helping smokers to quit as other means and I am writing to you about the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to voice my concerns with it.
In my view the bill is in danger of ‘throwing the baby out with the bath water’ and will have a negative impact on the government’s target to be smoke free by 2030 and result in the UK not only no longer being seen as a leader in supporting tobacco harm reduction but one which is actively hindering it. It should be remembered that the NHS consider vaping to be 95% safer than smoking and actively support the use of vapes to enable smokers to quit. While measures to reduce underage vaping are welcomed by just about everyone it is imperative these should not be at the expense of maintaining progress towards and achieving the smoke free target and not have a significantly adverse impact on the millions of adult vapers who have given up smoking through vaping. While full details of what will be in the bill are as yet unknown the following appear to be.
I fully appreciate the concerns around underage vaping but the real issue is how do they obtain e-cigarettes when selling them to anyone under 18 and buying them on their behalf is already banned, the answer is convenience stores, corner shops, market stalls and other retailers are ignoring the law. Instead of concentrating on tackling this the proposed bill is largely about bans and restrictions that will affect millions of adult vapers who are ex-smokers. A much more sensible approach to underage vaping would be to:
I was a smoker for decades until I gave up over 9 years ago though vaping which is estimated to be twice as effective in helping smokers to quit as other means and I am writing to you about the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to voice my concerns with it.
In my view the bill is in danger of ‘throwing the baby out with the bath water’ and will have a negative impact on the government’s target to be smoke free by 2030 and result in the UK not only no longer being seen as a leader in supporting tobacco harm reduction but one which is actively hindering it. It should be remembered that the NHS consider vaping to be 95% safer than smoking and actively support the use of vapes to enable smokers to quit. While measures to reduce underage vaping are welcomed by just about everyone it is imperative these should not be at the expense of maintaining progress towards and achieving the smoke free target and not have a significantly adverse impact on the millions of adult vapers who have given up smoking through vaping. While full details of what will be in the bill are as yet unknown the following appear to be.
- Flavour ban (being considered) – this is undoubtedly the single worst proposal being considered as a large majority of adult vapers who are ex-smokers do not vape tobacco flavours but choose other flavours such as fruits and deserts as it breaks the link back to smoking and makes it easier for them to give up. A ban on these flavours will significantly impact them and the UK businesses who supply vape liquids. It will discourage smokers from switching to vaping, result in vapers who use non-tobacco flavours to turn to the black market or relapse back to smoking and also cause the closure of businesses who supply these flavours.
- Colours ban (being considered) – colours appeal to adults just as much as they do to kids so the idea bright colours are just targeted at kids makes no sense.
- Increase taxation on vapes (being considered) – this will increase the cost of vaping and reduce the price difference between vaping and smoking and is counter productive if you wish to encourage smokers to switch to vaping to give up smoking.
- Disposables ban (confirmed) - these are used by many adults to give up smoking and switch to vaping due to their ease of use and convenience, the only real justification to ban them is on environmental grounds.
I fully appreciate the concerns around underage vaping but the real issue is how do they obtain e-cigarettes when selling them to anyone under 18 and buying them on their behalf is already banned, the answer is convenience stores, corner shops, market stalls and other retailers are ignoring the law. Instead of concentrating on tackling this the proposed bill is largely about bans and restrictions that will affect millions of adult vapers who are ex-smokers. A much more sensible approach to underage vaping would be to:
- introduce a system so all retailers must be licenced to sell e-cigarettes.
- have substantial penalties for those selling e-cigarettes without a licence and for those with a licence caught selling to those who are underage including the revoking of licences.
- adequately fund enforcement.
