Busy week for ASH.
After releasing figures that are said to show that the economic cost of smoking in England is £14bn a year (see previous post), the anti-smoking group has today published headline results for its 2023 vaping surveys.
Designed 'to inform responses to the government consultation on how to reduce youth vaping which closes on 6th June', they conclude that there was:
Yet even though ASH admits that 'fears that vaping is leading a whole generation to be addicted to nicotine are not justified by the evidence to date', they're still pushing for tougher regulations on vaping.
According to CEO Deborah Arnott (who on Tuesday addressed the E-Cigarette Summit US where she is treated like a latter-day oracle):
We need to stem the tide of child vape experimentation and the Government’s investment in a crackdown on illegal underage sales of vapes is a vital first step. But enforcement on its own won’t do the trick without tougher regulation to address the child friendly promotion of these cheap and attractive products.
The ASH youth survey demonstrates the rapid growth of instore promotion of vapes, using brightly coloured pack displays, reminiscent of cigarette displays from yesteryear. The evidence is clear, government needs to take strong action to prevent the marketing of vapes to children.”
In what appears to be a coordinated campaign, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) was quick to add its own pennyworth, with a press release embargoed (I imagine) to match that of ASH:
Currently, there are no restrictions regarding the packaging or placement of vapes within retail premises. Although it is advised that retailers keep vapes out of reach of children, there is no legal requirement for retailers to do so.
Rather than being marketed as an adult smoking cessation aid, the present regime of unrestricted displays and packaging has resulted in bright, colourful and attractive displays of products which are clearly aimed at the youth market.
Neither ASH nor CTSI spelled out the 'tougher regulation' they have in mind. The Local Government Association, however, was less coy:
To tackle this issue and ensure vaping is kept out of reach of children, vapes should be sold in plain packaging and be out-of-sight behind the counter.
In other words, just like tobacco.
Unfortunately Forest was alerted to the story yesterday evening, too late to do much about it. Nevertheless, we issued this response:
"Millions of adults have successfully quit smoking by switching to e-cigarettes. Convenience, availability, and attractive displays are a key part of this transformation.
"Tougher regulations on the packaging and placement of vapes in shops could seriously undermine attempts to encourage many more adults to switch to a reduced risk product."
"The best way to reduce underage sales of e-cigarettes is to insist on proof of age verification at the point of sale, and impose stiff penalties on retailers who break the law by selling vapes to anyone under 18.
"The government should enforce existing laws before introducing new regulations that could be counter-productive."
See 'Forest rejects calls for tougher regulations on vaping'.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, Cork County Council last week passed a motion calling for a workplace vaping ban that would include pubs, bars and restaurants.
Although it's not on the cards any time soon, I need hardly remind readers that the smoking bans introduced in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were heavily influenced by the Republic of Ireland, which was the first country in the world to introduce a comprehensive workplace smoking ban.
Of course, vaping is already banned in many enclosed 'public' places, if not by law then at the behest of the property owner or landlord.
And when they're not banning it, some hospitals are trying to restrict vaping to the old outdoor smoking shelters.
It's not a great leap, therefore, to imagine 'tougher regulation' being introduced to ban vaping in all public places. Not now, perhaps, but within the next decade, and it will start in enclosed public places and then extend to any outdoor place where children might be present.
It's probably just a matter of time, which makes the silence from vaping advocacy groups even more baffling.
I can't explain it. Perhaps they're too busy trying to 'beat smoking'. All I can say is, be careful what you wish for.