The UK government is exploring stricter regulations on vaping, including potential bans on flavored e-cigarettes and new taxes, as part of efforts to curb rising youth vaping rates. These measures were outlined in the recent King’s Speech and could apply across the UK.
Flavored Vapes May Face Total Ban
One proposal under consideration is fully prohibiting fruit or sweet flavored vaping liquids. Only tobacco and menthol/mint flavors could remain legal under such a ban.
Flavored vapes are widely considered more appealing to youths versus traditional tobacco flavors. Banning flavored options could deter underage experimentation and uptake.
Wider Restrictions On Vape Marketing, Sales
Along with flavor limitations, the government is looking at wider vaping restrictions aimed at protecting young people:
- Restricting vape descriptions that may appeal to youths
- Requiring vape products be kept out of sight in shops
- Mandating plain, non-branded packaging without cartoons or animals
- Banning disposable vape devices popular among teenagers
- Potentially applying a new tax to raise vape prices
These measures would limit youth exposure to marketing and access to vapes, while reducing their affordability via taxes.
Raising Minimum Smoking Age Annually
In addition to vape regulations, the government confirmed plans to incrementally raise the minimum age to purchase cigarettes and tobacco each year starting in 2027.
The age would increase by 1 year annually until no one under the current age of 15 could legally buy smoking products. This policy aims to create a smoke-free generation.
Vape Tax Could Curb Teen Usage, But Risks Remain
Applying a dedicated tax to vapes would make them more expensive to deter youth uptake. E-cigarettes are currently subject to VAT but no special vape duties exist yet.
However, some experts caution that excessive taxation could negate vaping’s role as a smoking cessation tool for adults if it ceases to be more affordable than cigarettes. Maintaining vapes’ price advantage is seen as important.
Government Still Consulting On Details
The government is still gathering input on potential vaping restrictions through an ongoing public consultation. The specific regulatory actions will depend on the consultation’s findings.
Once finalized, the government intends to legislate the tighter vape controls. Groups like Action on Smoking and Health have already voiced support for measures limiting youth access and appeal.
But a careful balance is needed to restrict youth vaping without hampering vapes’ usefulness for adult smoking cessation. The government aims to strike this balance through evidence-based policies.
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