Interesting to see VPZ in the news again.
VPZ is the UK's 'leading e-cigarette and vape store' and last year the company launched a lamentable campaign that urged the Scottish Government to 'Ban smoking for good'.
Sadly the short-lived initiative, which I wrote about here and here, quickly ran out of steam.
Aside from a brief flurry of media reports featuring campaign ambassador, former England footballer Neil 'Razor' Ruddock, a petition subsequently posted on the Scottish Government website by VPZ director Doug Mutter attracted a paltry 103 signatures.
As I noted a few months later:
The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government is not currently considering an outright ban on smoking in favour of vaping.
Yesterday it was reported that VPZ has suffered another blow. According to the Scottish Sun:
An advert for a Scots vaping firm which said it could help people quit smoking or give them their money back has been banned ...
In a written ruling, the ASA [Advertising Standards Authority] said: "Claims that e-cigarettes were capable of helping users to quit smoking cigarettes or reduce the amount that they smoked were considered medicinal claims for the purposes of the [Advertising] Code."
As it happens – having endured a long and frustrating experience with the ASA that ultimately didn't go our way either (albeit Forest was the complainant) – I have some sympathy with VPZ because I'm struggling to spot any medicinal claims that justify the ASA's decision.
I can't say I'm surprised though that the ASA has sided with ASH Scotland, the single complainant.
What did surprise me was the revelation – during an excoriating nine-minute report on Channel 4 News last night – that VPZ has received 25 million pounds worth of loans from Philip Morris.
Then again, Philip Morris wants the UK government to ban the sale of cigarettes in England by 2030 so I guess the two companies are perfectly aligned.
I wonder, though, what other members of the vaping community think of the VPZ/ASA verdict. Another unnecessary own goal, perhaps?
See: Advertising watchdog rebukes firm over claims its 'vape clinic' could help people quit smoking (Channel 4 News)