The Evapo comprehensive strategy to address youth vaping and respond to proposed legislation
In the UK, where smoking claims 76,000 lives annually, Evapo has steadily gained recognition for its responsible approach in tackling smoking. Our mission is clear: support smokers in their transition to less harmful alternatives. Remarkably, 80% of our customers have reported quitting smoking through vaping, a method endorsed by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities as 95% less harmful than traditional smoking. This success aligns with the UK's goal to become smokefree by 2030. However, Evapo recognizes the rising concern of youth vaping and is committed to addressing this head-on.
Our proposed solutions
Restrict youth-appealing marketing
Evapo proposes working with suppliers on removing youth-appealing flavour names, especially those resembling candy and desserts, from their products. This includes revising product packaging to eliminate child-appealing imagery.
Neutral colour options
Encourage suppliers to offer neutral colour options for disposable devices, lessening their potential appeal to underage users.
Robust age verification standards
Evapo already maintains strict age verification both in-store and online, including a 'think 25' policy and mystery shops its stores monthly to ensure compliance.
Licensing scheme for vaping products
Evapo suggests a licensing system akin to alcohol licences, limiting the sale of vaping products to licensed shops and specialised retailers. This system would include strict rules around age verification and product display, funded by the licensing fees to bolster enforcement and compliance.
Increased fines for non-compliance
We advocate for substantial fines, proposing £10,000 on-the-spot penalties for retailers caught selling to under 18s, a measure to deter illegal sales significantly.
Enforcement shortfalls and the need for government support
Recent data from Arcus Compliance has brought to light the worrying underfunding for the enforcement efforts of Trading Standards. In a span of three years, only two successful prosecutions have been made against illegal vape sellers in six major UK cities, with total fines amounting to less than £2,500. This starkly underlines the urgent necessity for enhanced Government backing to enable Trading Standards to more effectively combat these rogue traders who blatantly disregard the law.
In our commitment to uphold legal standards, Evapo conducts rigorous monthly mystery shopping in all 47 of its stores, ensuring stringent compliance with age verification protocols. To amplify these efforts and curb underage vaping access, Evapo advocates for a licensing system paralleling alcohol sales. Integral to this proposal are substantial fines of £10,000 for violations, a strategic move aimed at deterring non-compliance and bolstering the enforcement of vaping product sales regulations.
Youth-appealing marketing
Evapo, in response to growing concerns about youth marketing for vapes - a topic that has garnered attention from both news outlets and governing bodies - has proposed several measures to mitigate the appeal of vaping products to underage users.
One of their key strategies involves working closely with suppliers to restrict potentially youth-appealing marketing. This includes the removal of flavour names that resemble candy and desserts, which might be particularly attractive to younger audiences.
Additionally, Evapo is advocating for changes in product packaging to eliminate imagery that might appeal to children. Alongside these initiatives, they are also encouraging suppliers to offer neutral colour options for disposable vaping devices. By offering less visually striking and less youth-oriented colour schemes, the aim is to reduce the attractiveness of these products to underage consumers. These measures reflect a growing awareness and responsibility within the industry to address the issue of youth vaping.
Final thoughts
The Evapo comprehensive strategy, rooted in responsible marketing, strict age verification, and legislative proposals, reflects a balanced approach to tackling youth vaping. These measures aim not only to protect the youth but also to preserve the availability of vaping products as a cessation tool for adult smokers looking to quit smoking. Our commitment to working alongside government and industry partners demonstrates their dedication to a smokefree future, balancing public health priorities with practical, enforceable solutions.
Sources
gov.uk 29/09/2022
NHS 22/11/23
ukvia.co.uk 2023
