20th March 2024

UK Tobacco & Vapes Bill 2024

Today the UK Government published their Tobacco & Vapes bill 2024 and it is not great news for vapers.

Ecigclick have covered the contents and impacts for vapers here: https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/uk-tobacco-vapes-bill-2024-what-it-means-for-vapers/

You can read the bill in full here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tobacco-and-vapes-bill-2024.

Also there is a summary with regard to vaping here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tobacco-and-vapes-bill-factsheets.

Responses have so far come in from...

10th March 2024

UK Vaping Products Duty Public Consultation Launched

The UK government are to introduce a vape tax – otherwise known as the “Vaping Products Duty“ in 2026. More here on Ecigclick : https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/uk-vaping-products-duty-consultation/

Image showing e-liquid prices with new tax applied — Vape Tax Examples

A public consultation has been launched which will gather views on the tax proposals and their structure.

I urge all UK vapers and those in the vape industry – especially retailers – to take part and help amend this extortionate policy to something more suitable.

As a principle the addition of tax is understandable. But I think the level of taxation is far too heavy and – to put it mildly – it is greedy.

For instance in the image you can see examples of how a 10ml bottle of 20mg nicotine strength e-liquid which currently retails for £3.99 will increase to £6.99 once the tax is applied. Also a 100ml bottle of nicotine free (shortfill) e-liquid which is currently £9.99 will increase to double the price at £19.99 with the new tax (£1 per 10ml). It is shocking.

How To Take Part

You can view the summary document here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65e80ba108eef600115a5621/Vaping_Products_Duty_Consultation.pdf, it covers the background of the proposals and lists the questions which will be included in the consultation.

When responding ask yourself these questions…

Will this put you off vaping and make you return to smoking?
Will you buy e-liquids from the Black Market (i.e. no tax applied?)
If you need high nicotine strengths will you have to cut down to a lower strength thus risking your attempt to stay away from tobacco?
If you are considering switching from tobacco to vaping – is this increase in price less of an incentive to switch?
Do you agree with the tax? If so would a more reasonable rate (i.e. £1 per bottle regardless of strength or volume) be acceptable?
Will this system stop underage vapers?
Will this be damaging to your business (retailers)?
How much will it cost you to implement the new tax (retailers), i.e. altering displays, repricing stock, amending POS systems?

To send your response download the response form in Word format here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65eb1e4a3649a2c772ed63a3/Consultation_response_template.docx.

Then email the completed form to vapingproductsduty@hmrc.gov.uk with “Vaping Products Duty consultation response” as the subject.

If you want to comment further or discuss topics in more depth, written submissions are also accepted.

Make sure to respond by the 29th May 2024.

6th March 2024

UK Vaping Products Levy (vape tax) announced

Unfortunately today in his Spring Budget announcement, the Chancellor has stated that vaping products will be subject to tax.

This will apply to e-liquids and the rate will depend on the nicotine strength.

We have covered this, with an explanation of how and when this tax will take place, plus various reactions from the vaping industry and advocates.

We will try to keep this up to date as new reactions are published.

https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/uk-to-tax-vaping-products-industry-reactions/

5th March 2024

UK Proposing A Vape Tax?

Is there a new "Vape Tax" on the horizon for the UK? We await the Spring Budget announcement due Wednesday 6th March 2024.

In the meantime here is what we know so far, including responses from UKVIA, NNA, WVA & WeVape : https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/possible-uk-vape-tax-industry-responses/

29th January 2024

UK Government bans disposable vapes

The UK Government today announces a ban on disposable vapes, restrictions on packaging & flavours, further enforcement action and a generational ban on buying tobacco. All covered here in Ecigclick: https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/uk-government-bans-disposable-vapes/

You can read the full UK Government press release here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/disposable-vapes-banned-to-protect-childrens-health

So far the UKVIA ( https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ukvia-response-to-uk-disposable-vape-ban/ ) and WVA ( https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/wva-response-to-uk-disposable-vape-ban-press-release/ ) have published their responses.

Here is the response from the NNA (New Nicotine Alliance) https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/nna-response-to-uk-disposable-vape-ban/

The government has also published the consultation outcome https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping

10th November 2023

COP10 FCTC Postponed Until 2024!

Due to unrest in Panama and the fact there was nobody to organise the conference, the COP10 FCTC scheduled for 20-25th November has been postponed until 2024! More here in Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/cop10-fctc-postponed-until-2024

7th November 2023

Ecigclick Chats To Colin Mendelsohn

Ecigclick chats to another passionate THR Superstar - Colin Mendelsohn!! Read more here - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/colin-mendelsohn-chats-to-ecigclick/

4th November 2023

Ecigclick Chats To Kim Skip Murray

Ecigclick highlights another THR Superstar - Kim Skip Murray - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/kim-skip-murray-chats-to-ecigclick/

Ecigclick Chats To Kurt Yeo

In another THR Superstar interview we throw the spotlight on Kurt Yeo from Vaping Saved My Life - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/kurt-yeo-chats-to-ecigclick/

How To Spot A Dodgy Vape

Following on from a Tweet by Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Ecigclick have created a guide on how to spot illegal and counterfeit vapes - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/how-to-spot-a-dodgy-vape

22nd October 2023

Ecigclick Chats To Richard Pruen - Main Man Behind Safer Nicotine Wiki

Read all about the man behind the screens who keeps the wiki running, find out if he vapes and his opinions on THR worldwide - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/richard-pruen-talks-to-ecigclick/

COPWATCH Find Sneaky Hidden Files For COP10 Delegates

The group COPWATCH have come across some files for COP10 FCTC delegates which were not published with the rest of the agenda items. They cover Disposable Vapes and Nicotine Pouches and are apparently not very erm... scientific...

Read about this on Ecigclick plus links to the files - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/copwatch-more-misinformation-from-who-prior-to-cop10/

And the COPWATCH article - https://copwatch.info/the-who-publishes-anonymously-written-papers-designed-to-gaslight-parties-at-cop10

Respect Vapers Ireland Call To Action

A new public consultation on vaping is due to be launched on 7th November 2023 by the Irish Government. Please urge people to get involved when it is live.

More here on Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/respect-vapers-raise-your-voice-in-the-ireland-vaping-consultation/

WVA Call For UK Public To "Save Flavours, Save Disposables"

In response to the UK Smoking and Vaping public consultation, the WVA are asking people to get involved and take part in the survey.

More here on Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/wva-uk-save-flavours-save-disposables/

Visit the WVA campaign page here - https://worldvapersalliance.com/uk-save-flavours-save-disposables/

Take part in the consultation here before the 6th December 2023 - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping

Guide to the consultation and how to get involved - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/uk-government-smoking-vaping-consultation/

UKVIA Launch Sustainable Vaping Week

To try and counteract the waste from vapes, especially disposables, the UKVIA have created a sustainable vaping week, plus their own "Recycle Vapes" information hub.

More here on Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ukvia-sustainable-vaping-week-kicks-off/

Sustainable vaping week info - https://recycle-vapes.co.uk/sustainable-vaping-week/

Recycle Vapes information hub for vapers and industry - https://recycle-vapes.co.uk/

13th October 2023

The UK Government Consultation On Smoking & Vaping 2023

The UK Government has published a public consultation on Smoking & Vaping to help shape future regulation.

It is important that all safer nicotine users take part and tell their own story. Their own experience is evidence.

Ecigclick have a summary here and a guide to participation - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/uk-government-smoking-vaping-consultation/

Documents on the Gov website cover the consultation and explain the questions and topics...

You can partake in the consultation here - https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping

UKVIA has published a statement in response - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ukvia-response-to-uk-government-smoking-vaping-consultation/

IBVTA have also published their response - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ibvta-responds-to-uk-government-smoking-vaping-consultation/

10th October 2023

The UK Government to stand up for vaping at COP10?

An article in The Sun - states that the UK will fight for vaping at COP10 and will urge other countries to follow their example - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/uk-to-stand-up-for-vaping-at-cop10/

UKVIA To Launch Vape Recycling Information Hub plus "Sustainable Vaping Week" from 16th October

More info here at Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ukvia-to-launch-vape-recycling-information-hub/

Or read the UKVIA press release - https://www.ukvia.co.uk/ukvia-to-launch-new-vape-recycling-information-hub-and-sustainable-vaping-week/

EU Proposing To Ban Nicotine Pouches?

WVA Press Release - "A leaked report from the European Commission proposing to ban nicotine pouches questions EU smoke-free goals"

4th October 2023

Rishi Sunak cracks down on Smoking & Youth Vaping

Today the UK government announced plans to reduce tobacco smoking and youth vaping.

Summarised here on Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/rishi-cracks-down-on-uk-smoking-youth-vaping/

View the whole government paper here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/stopping-the-start-our-new-plan-to-create-a-smokefree-generation

Various organisations have published responses...

IBVTA – IBVTA welcomes tobacco phase out but highlights role of vapes as smoking cessation tool.

WVA (World Vapers’ Alliance) – Sunak’s cigarette ban misses the point on reducing smoking rates.

London Tobacco Alliance – London Tobacco Alliance Response To Rishi Sunak’s Announcement On Smoking.

ASH – APPG Smoking & Health and ASH Welcome Rishi Sunak’s Announcement On Smoking.

Science Media Centre – Expert Reaction To Rishi Sunak’s Announcement On Smoking.

29th September 2023

The Case For Flavours in THR?

Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos has updated his paper on "The case for flavours in tobacco harm reduction, to save lives" - https://media.thr.net/strapi/34d52398d9056adece15e8bda5172870.pdf?updated_at=2023-08-29T12:28:33.423Z

Restricting Vape Flavours Results In Increased Cigarette Sales

A new study - https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4586701

22nd September 2023

Ireland Disposable Vape Ban?

It is looking very likely there will be a ban on disposable vapes on the way in Ireland soon, on top of additional regulations.

More here at Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ireland-disposable-vape-ban-is-likely/

Also the WVA have published a press release in response - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/wva-response-to-ireland-tightening-vaping-regulations/

15th September 2023

Global Vape Alliance Launched

A new Global Vape Alliance has been launched.

"The Global Vape Alliance for the first time brings together major international vaping bodies including the Electronic Cigarette Industry Committee of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), the US Vapor Technology Association (VTA), the “UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA)” and the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA)."

Above quoted from the Press release from UKVIA - https://www.ukvia.co.uk/announcement-new-global-vape-alliance-unveiled/

Global Vape Alliance website - https://globalvapealliance.com/

A summary here from Ecigclick - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/global-vape-alliance/

12th September 2023

Is there a UK disposable vape ban on the horizon?

Includes responses from the WVA, NNA, UKVIA, IEA , IBVTA .

Cochrane compares different methods of Cigarette Cessation

Spoiler - vaping comes out as the most effective!!

https://www.cochrane.org/CD015226/TOBACCO_how-effective-are-medications-and-e-cigarettes-quitting-smoking-and-what-works-best

Summary here - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/cochrane-are-e-cigs-the-most-effective-way-to-quit-smoking/

1st September 2023

UKVIA Ends Tobacco Company Membership

In a press release today the UKVIA (UK Vaping Industry Association) announced they would no longer accept large tobacco companies as members.

Read the press release here on ecigclick https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ukvia-ends-tobacco-company-membership/

Or the UKVIA website https://www.ukvia.co.uk/media-statement-regarding-the-departure-of-tobacco-companies-from-the-ukvia/

17th August 2023

How Come Sweden Is Almost Smoke Free?

Smoke Free Sweden have issued a new report on how they are close to the Smoke free goal of 5% or less smoking rate - an interesting read and they say...

"This follow-up report is a call to the WHO and global public health to study the harm reduction strategies so successfully employed by Sweden"

Read the PDF report here https://smokefreesweden.org/wp-content/themes/smokefreesweden/assets/pdf/reports/Report_SAVING%20LIVES%20LIKE%20SWEDEN.pdf

10th August 2023

New Study - Smokers would appreciate Health Care Interventions to help them transition to vaping

Ecigclick have reported on the new study showing how smokers / vapers would react to different health care interventions to aid them to quit / stay away from smoking - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/would-uk-smokers-welcome-nhs-vaping-support/

You can also view the study here https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17579139231185481

9th August 2023

New Study - Smokers Switching To Vapes Could Save NHS More Than £500m A Year

A new study has been published from the Brunel University London.

Ecigclick have covered it here... https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/switching-to-vapes-could-save-nhs-more-than-500m-a-year/

The article from the Brunel website is here https://www.brunel.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/NHS-would-save-more-than-500m-a-year-if-half-of-England's-adult-smokers-vaped-instead

The full study is online - but behind a paywall https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/epub/10.12968/bjhc.2023.0046

3rd August 2023

ASH UK - E-cigarette Use In Great Britain 2023 Results

ASH UK have published the results of their e-cigarette use in Great Britain survey - read the full results here https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Use-of-e-cigarettes-among-adults-in-Great-Britain-2023.pdf

Also you can read their press release here https://ash.org.uk/media-centre/news/press-releases/four-in-ten-smokers-wrongly-believe-that-vaping-is-as-or-more-harmful-as-smoking

Sadly 4 in 10 smokers are scared of vaping.

Ecigclick have written an article summarising the main points here https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/4-in-10-smokers-wrongly-fear-vaping-ash-e-cigarette-use-in-gb-2023-survey-results/

Various responses have already been published.

The IBVTA have published a press release - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ibvta-statement-on-ash-yougov-e-cigarette-use-in-gb-2023-survey/

Various health professionals have made excellent responses - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/expert-reaction-to-ash-e-cigarette-use-in-gb-2023-survey/

The NNA have also responded https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/nna-responds-to-the-ash-vaping-results/

To help counteract the negative perception of vaping, ASH UK have produced an great "Mythbusting" article on all the common myths - https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Addressing-common-myths-about-vaping-ASH-brief.pdf

I know ASH UK policies are not always popular with vapers but at least they see vaping for the benefit of accelerating the decrease in smoking rate. Unlike some of their counterparts – cough – ASH Scotland…ASH USA

They are generally sympathetic to vaping and see it as an important tool to reduce smoking in the UK and in a recent Health and Social Care committee - the Chief Exec of ASH UK - Deborah Arnott - was one of the few actually talking sense and sticking up for vaping in the horrific first panel. https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/health-social-care-youth-vaping/

If you want to see more responses by various organisations / experts - I have summarised them here in our Article - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/updates-to-health-social-care-committee-on-youth-vaping/

Other Vape News this week...

Vapes performed better than NRT in helping pregnant smokers quit - new study - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/vapes-more-effective-than-nrt-patches-for-pregnant-smokers/

The UK branch of Cochrane is to close - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/cochrane-uk-to-close/

The WVA have responded to the latest dollop of misinformation oozing from the WHO - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/wva-rebuffs-who-press-release/

31st July 2023

Crazy News Headlines on Vaping!

Some absolutely crazy articles started appearing in the UK media regarding the horrific disease - "Vape Tongue" - total lies - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/hilarious-vape-tongue-articles/

A great study looked into ways to help smokers transition to vaping, overcoming obstacles including access, advice and the negative perception - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/amazing-study-on-helping-smokers-transition-to-vaping/

ASH UK published their survey results on the opinion of Tobacco and Vaping control in the UK - https://www.ecigclick.co.uk/ash-tobacco-vaping-control-survey-results-2023/