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Tag: UKVIA

  • Study: Vape Litter Out of Control

    Study: Vape Litter Out of Control

    Photo: bennyrobo

    The majority of single-use vapes are disposed of improperly, with the number increasing, according to a Material Focus study.

    “Since we last published our research, the problem with single-use vapes has gotten further out of control,” said Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus. “Single-use vapes are a strong contender for being the most environmentally wasteful, damaging and dangerous consumer product ever made. And still very few producers and retailers comply with environmental regulations and haven’t put recycling drop-off points and systems in place. This all means that too often local authorities are being burdened with the major operational and financial headaches associated with what is now the fastest growing and most dangerous waste stream in the U.K., single-use vapes.

    “Vapes, like any other electrical with a plug, battery or cable, should never be binned and always be recycled as a minimum. We need rapid growth in the number of accessible and visible vape recycling drop-off points. And we need proper financing of genuine recycling solutions to recover materials and manage fire risks. The solution is clear: immediate, significant and transparent vape industry voluntary action in advance of planned regulatory changes already earmarked by Defra. The U.K. needs more accessible recycling drop-off points in stores, in parks, in public spaces near offices, bars and pubs, and in schools, colleges and universities. With 75 percent of vapers thinking that producers and retailers should provide more information that states that vapes can be recycled, the word ‘disposable’ should no longer be used in any marketing and promotion.

    “Until single-use vape producers, importers and retailers act to genuinely comply with and finance their legal environmental responsibilities, then the calls for banning the sale of them will only strengthen.” 

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) acknowledged the environmental challenge posted by single-use vape and said it was committed to helping develop solutions to the problem.

    “We welcome the solutions put forward by Material Focus and are leading industry action in a number of these areas and more,” the UKVIA wrote in a statement. “Education of consumers about how to recycle single-use vapes; product innovations that enhance recycling rates; compliance with the current regulations; and investment in waste collection points at point of use and not just at point of sale are all critical in reducing the environmental impact of single-use vapes.

    “We must protect the environment while also recognizing the contribution disposable vapes have made in helping adult smokers start on their quit journeys, in turn helping to achieve the government’s 2030 smoke-free ambition. The devices are one of the main reasons why for a second year running, smoking rates have hit record low levels in Great Britain, according to Office of National Statistics data published this week. Cigarettes are also still the single most littered item on the planet. Over a billion smokers worldwide discard a combined 4.5 trillion cigarette butts every year.

    “Over 250 people die every day in the U.K. from smoking, and cigarettes cost the NHS [National Health Service] around £2.6 billion [$3.25 billion] every year; this is a huge price to pay, and disposable vapes offer a highly effective, proven and considerably less harmful alternative than conventional cigarettes because of their accessibility, ease of use and price points.”

    The UKVIA added that they will be launching a “Sustainable Vaping Week” to help educate e-cigarette users about proper disposal of single-use, and other, devices.

    Secondhand Smoke Can Increase Lead Levels: Study

    Secondhand smoke may be a source of chronic lead exposure in children and adolescents, according to a recent BMC Public Health study.  

    The study analyzed national data on blood lead levels and secondhand smoke exposure in children and teenagers ages 6 to 19 from 2015 to 2018. Levels of lead and cotinine were assessed, and it was found that average blood lead levels in what was considered the intermediate and high tobacco smoke exposure groups were 18 percent and 29 percent higher, respectively, than levels in the lowest tobacco smoke exposure group. The study also showed that a larger number of boys had detectable lead levels as well as a larger number of Black children and adolescents compared to other ethnic groups studied.

    Children aged 6 to 10 were more likely to have elevated lead levels than older subjects, and children in low-income households had a 27 percent higher lead level than children from high-income households.

    This lead exposure creates a dangerous situation for youth; lead does not dilute when exposure decreases and the body does not naturally excrete the metal. Lead accumulates in the bones and leaches into blood, and exposure can lead to numerous neurological problems like nerve damage, cognitive problems, loss of IQ points and potentially Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. The only way to remove lead from the body is through an oral medical treatment, according to the Conversation.

     

     

  • UKVIA Terminates Tobacco Memberships

    UKVIA Terminates Tobacco Memberships

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has ended the membership of British American Tobacco, Imperial Brands, Japan Tobacco International and Philip Morris International.

    Following a member-wide consultation, the association will not be accepting any new applications for membership by vaping businesses wholly/part owned or acquired by tobacco companies in the future. As a result, it will not be accepting any tobacco company funding in the future.

    When the UKVIA was initially set up seven years ago it was established to represent the entire U.K. vaping industry, including the e-cigarette operations owned by tobacco brands.

    In this period, the association has established itself as a major force in the sector, championing the burgeoning vaping industry across the U.K. Today it’s also held up as a leading voice of the industry across the world.

    “However, it has become increasingly clear that the interests of the industry would be best served by the association being independent of any involvement or funding from tobacco-owned vaping brands,” the UKVIA wrote on its website.

    The organization attributes its decision to a prevailing external misperception that the association is largely financially supported by tobacco firms. Whilst funding from tobacco-owned vaping brands for the last membership year amounted to less than 4 percent of the total of all UKVIA’s income, according to the group, it gave the impression in some quarters that the association was synonymous with combustible tobacco—the very market it is trying to eliminate to create a smoke free future.

    The UKVIA also believes the involvement of tobacco-owned vaping brands limits the organization to engage with key stakeholders, such as parliamentarians, public health officials and local authorities. The group said it has underestimated the impact of restrictions on tobacco companies for the association to engage with some key stakeholders, particularly those in public health.

    “In representing vaping-only businesses, many of which are independent firms founded on the back of personal loss of family members as a result of smoking combustible cigarettes, the UKVIA wants to be fully engaged with key stakeholders across the board as we have the same vision, which is to make smoking history,” the UKVIA wrote. “The association sees this as being a vital step in ensuring that the public health potential of vaping is fully realized and the sector making its fullest contribution to the delivery of the smoke free targets over the next few years to 2030.

  • UKVIA Announces Annual Forum

    UKVIA Announces Annual Forum

    Photo: UKVIA

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) annual Forum and Industry Recognition Awards Dinner will take place at the QEII Centre in London on Nov. 10, 2023.

    Under the theme, “Accelerating Action to Secure a World Without Smoking,” the event will feature sessions focusing on harm reduction, illicit trade and sustainability, among other topics.

    Secretary General of the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce Ao Weinuo will be giving a keynote presentation on China’s commitment to change. Also included on the conference agenda is a dialogue on the upcoming general election, which will explore how the U.K. industry should prepare for a possible change in government and will ask how to retain the existing “parliamentary momentum” around vaping.

    “We have, and I’m confident will continue to, make significant strides in putting forward the harm reduction benefits of vaping on the political front, but it’s no secret the landscape could soon shift and we need to be prepared,” said UKVIA Director-General John Dunne in a statement.

    Following the forum, the UKVIA will host its  annual Industry Recognition Awards dinner.

    According to Dunne, the awards are an opportunity to recognize the “outstanding contributions and achievements” of individuals and organizations both inside and outside the industry.

    Last year, 500 delegates and guests attended the UKVIA Forum and Awards. This year’s event is expected to attract an equally high number of visitors.

  • Poll Reveals ‘Trust Gap’ In Vaping

    Poll Reveals ‘Trust Gap’ In Vaping

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    There is a major trust gap in vaping among smokers, with over half now believing they’re just as harmful as cigarettes or more harmful than cigarettes.

    The poll of 2,000 smokers revealed a growing distrust in switching to vapes. Nearly 38 percent who lack trust, say it could stop them from attempting to quit their smoking habits through vaping in the future.

    The government’s independent Kahn Review said vaping had a central role to play in a smokefree future across the country, with more than 6.5 million people still smoking in the U.K. And evidence last year by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) re-confirmed that vaping was at least 95 percent less harmful than smoking.

    But according to the Adult Smokers Trust in Vaping study conducted by One Poll and commissioned by SMOORE, pioneers in inhalation technology, 29 percent only trust vaping a little as a method to quit smoking, whilst 13 percent do not trust it at all.

    And of those whose trust is diminishing, 35 percent cite the lack of independent long term clinical research showing vaping to be less harmful than smoking. While 31 percent are concerned about the lack of any information available about the harm profile of different vape products.  Other factors that had caused a lack of trust included: negative reports and studies that smokers had come across, inconsistency of government attitudes across the world towards vaping, the growing black market for vapes, and the view of the World Health Organization on vaping.

    “There’s a major push to get smokers to move to vape products, but as of now, they just do not have all the information they need to make an informed decision to switch,” said Chenxing Pei, a senior aerosol engineer at the Smoore Centre for Analysis, Testing, and Safety Assessment, in a press release publish by the U.K. Vaping Industry Association.

    “It’s vital smokers are confident enough to switch, especially since health minister Neil O’Brien said the government must ‘exploit the huge potential of vaping to help adult smokers to quit.’

    “But reducing or quitting is incredibly difficult, it’s imperative to give them the belief that what they are attempting isn’t going to be a waste of time.

    “And if vaping is to be viewed as a credible way to quit, urgent efforts need to be made to ensure smokers trust these products to have the desired impact.”

    The research also revealed how trust among these smokers could be regained, with 30 percent claiming public health campaigns promoting the evidence-based facts could turn the tide. Better education of doctors to give more advice on how vaping can be an effective way to reduce harm caused by smoking, was cited as another key way to build trust.

    Meanwhile, 21 percent would welcome advertising regulations for vaping companies to be lifted—as long as they are promoting evidence from credible sources.

    But confusion persists among 68 percent of smokers when it comes to understanding which products would be suitable to help quit. And 70 percent now “don’t know who to believe” when it comes to vape products.

    Three quarters of smokers want information to be made available on the harm profile of the vape product at the point of purchase. With 87 percent of these saying it is important to know exactly what it is you are inhaling. Many are looking for clarification about the chemical constituents (60 percent), carbon residues (46 percent) and heavy metal content (44 percent) in their vapes.

    However, of those who smoke and vape, 74 percent initially started to reduce their reliance on cigarettes, with 58 percent of these claiming they were successful.

    The study coincides with Smoore establishing an independent think tank of scientific, smoking cessation and compliance experts from the U.K. and U.S. to lay the foundations for an industry-wide harm reduction rating system that can be communicated to consumers on product packaging or accessed via a QR code.

    “The concept of tobacco harm reduction is not widely understood by smokers, and there are widespread misperceptions regarding the relative safety of vaping products compared with cigarette smoking among the general public,” said Ian Fearon, one of the experts on the panel, who has previously worked for Juul Labs and BAT in senior scientific and clinical roles.

    “The development of a harm reduction label may help smokers to understand the reduced risk potential of vaping and encourage switching, in addition to reassuring vapers regarding the quality of the products they use and allowing them to differentiate between different products.

    “Government statistics last year showed that the proportion of smokers in the U.K. was at its lowest level since records begun, a decline which was attributed largely to the major role played by vapes.

    “However, the findings of this study, highlight a significant trust gap amongst adult smokers and it’s crucial for the vaping industry, government, regulators and healthcare professionals to come together to bridge it and support smokers on their quitting journey.

    “It’s clear that open and transparent communication is essential in this process and to supporting the government’s ambitions for the country to go smokefree.”

    Click here to view the report

  • UKVIA Publishes ‘Greenprint’

    UKVIA Publishes ‘Greenprint’

    Image: Tobacco Reporter archive

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has published a comprehensive “Greenprint for Sustainable Vaping” following an industry-wide consultation.

    The development of a green action plan was developed with input from leading players in the waste industry, regulators, the retail sector, vape manufacturers and experts in consumer behavior. It comes as the industry has faced increased scrutiny regarding the environmental impact of vapes, particularly single-use products known as disposables.

    “Whilst entry-level single-use devices are responsible for record numbers of adult smokers switching to vaping due [to] their ease of use and convenience, the industry realizes that much more must be done to safeguard against their impact on the environment,” said UKVIA CEO John Dunne. “The fact is that disposables have been around for a while but have become hugely popular in the last couple of years, particularly with those on low incomes who are amongst the most prevalent smokers.

    “The Greenprint aims to mobilize environmental action to support a sustainable vaping sector in the future. It covers the development of recycling infrastructure, which is fit for the vaping industry, new vape innovations that make products more recyclable and reusable as well as the support that needs to be put in place to encourage greater retailer and consumer participation in the environmentally conscious disposal of vape products.”

  • Broughton Joins UKVIA

    Broughton Joins UKVIA

    Photo: Courtesy of the Broughton Group

    Broughton has joined the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) as the 2023 vaping awareness month, VApril, kicks off. Nveed Chaudhary, chief scientific and regulatory officer at Broughton, attended a meeting of industry experts at the Houses of Parliament to encourage more regulatory rigor in applying U.K. vape regulation to protect consumers, according to a press release. The event provided a platform for key stakeholders to discuss the current state of the vaping industry and explore ways to improve public health outcomes.

    “Recent compliance issues with some manufacturers could impact consumer trust in vapes in the U.K.,” said John Dunne, UKVIA director. “Quality control and analytical testing experts Broughton joining UKVIA at this time illustrates the importance of product quality and safety to ensuring the continued transition of smokers away from cigarettes.

    “At UKVIA, we believe vapes have a key role to play in helping reduce death and disease caused by smoking. Ensuring vape safety is of the utmost importance to us and our members, and as a group, we’re advocating for stronger action against noncompliant vapes. This should include faster removal of noncompliant products, complete testing of products and greater penalties for manufacturers and retailers who break the rules.”

    Broughton has also introduced a new U.K. and European Union Vape Compliance Package to help address concerns about vape regulatory compliance. The service will focus on labeling, packaging, nicotine strength, fill volume and banned ingredients.

    Manufacturers, distributors and retailers who use the compliance package will receive a Certificate of Analysis that verifies their products’ compliance with current U.K. or EU regulations.

  • UKVIA Marks 100th Member

    UKVIA Marks 100th Member

    Image: ink drop | Adobe Stock

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has welcomed its 100th member, Haypp Group.

    The Swedish company is a market leader in the tobacco-free nicotine pouch e-commerce sector and has now expanded into the vape market by adding this new segment to the range of products on its Haypp.com website last year, according to a UKVIA press release.

    “As a responsible market leader in the online nicotine space, we want to fully participate with the industry, and joining the UKVIA is an obvious and logical decision,” said Markus Lindblad, Haypp’s head of external affairs.

    “We take extra responsibility as a market leader to support the rights of smokers to access better nicotine alternatives and to stand up for them in public debates and be their voice in front of regulators, the media and other stakeholders.

    “We joined the British-Swedish Chamber of Commerce when we started operating in the U.K., and now that we have included vape products to our platform, our UKVIA membership will allow us to better contribute to our industry and the wider society that it serves.”

    “This is a milestone for the organization, and I am delighted to welcome a company as impressive as Haypp to the UKVIA as our 100th member,” said UKVIA Director General John Dunne.

    “This sends an important message to regulators that the UKVIA is a serious organization, made up of serious players who want to act in a responsible way to further technological advances within the industry. This is also our first member to have a suite of reduced-risk products to help adult smokers make the switch from smoking.”

  • Call for Action Against Noncompliant Vapes

    Call for Action Against Noncompliant Vapes

    Photo: zef art

    The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has called for stronger actions against noncompliant vape products in the U.K., reports Convenience Store.

    Stating that the rise in noncompliant products is “getting out of hand,” the CTSI has asked for “clearer direction from government” and greater resources to fight the noncompliant trade.

    The CTSI has also suggested that manufacturers publish batch numbers of noncompliant products and introduce restrictions to stop youth vaping, including prohibiting cartoon characters or light-up vapes, restrictions on packaging colors and the promotion of vapes on social media platforms such as TikTok. The group also suggested looking at where the products are positioned in stores and increasing the sanctions available for those producers, suppliers retailers who don’t comply with the law.

    Vaping industry representatives applauded the CTSI’s position. “We share the CTSI’s concern over the growth in illicit and underage vape product sales and fully support their call for more resources,” the U.K. Vaping Industry Association said in a statement.

    “We also agree wholeheartedly that restrictions need to be explored to address youth vaping without impacting on adult smokers who wish to switch to vaping in order to quit their habits.

    “That’s why we are leading the way in forming a Youth Access Prevention Taskforce to develop detailed proposals to deal with the situation, and these include on-the-spot fines of up to £10,000 ($12,176.32) per instance for retailers who are found to be selling to minors and for selling illicit products; a national registration scheme for all retailers, meaning only those outlets that meet qualifying criteria can legally sell vapes; and a national test purchasing scheme that will ensure constant monitoring of retailers’ selling vapes to ensure that they are not turning a blind eye to purchases involving minors.

    “Critical to the success of our proposals will be a ramping up of enforcement, and this requires major funding in resources on the ground.

    “By Trading Standards’ own admission, resources are sadly lacking, and the government needs to step in and look at this situation as a matter of urgency. Our proposals are designed to support this funding need as monies will be raised from the fines and registration scheme.

    “We will be presenting our proposals to government and parliamentarians at the end of March.”

  • Youth Protection Guidelines Updated

    Youth Protection Guidelines Updated

    The U.K. Vaping Industry Association has updated its guide to retailers on preventing underage sales.

    UKVIA Director General John Dunne said tackling the sale of vaping products to minors was “one of the most fundamental challenges facing the industry.”

    The UKVIA is making its “Preventing Underage Sales Guide” freely available via its website.

    The 20-page guide has been developed in partnership with the association’s Primary Authority Partners, Buckinghamshire and Surrey and Trading Standards.

    Dunne said: “The entire UKVIA membership is united behind the message that we must do all in our power to stop underage sales.

    “This is one battle that we simply have to win, but we need the support of government, regulators and enforcement authorities in order to do so.

    “Our underage sales guide will give retailers all the information they need so that they don’t inadvertently sell to someone under 18.

    “Policymakers, politicians and consumers must have confidence that the vaping industry is a responsible sector, and this will be undermined if businesses do not implement and uphold robust age verification processes.

    “The guide gives clear advice on how to implement a ‘Challenge 25’ policy and why it is important that anyone who appears to be younger than 25 should be asked to provide ID.”

  • Elf Bar Comments on E-Liquid Controversy

    Elf Bar Comments on E-Liquid Controversy

    Image: carmenbobo | Adobe Stock

    After U.K. retailers announced they would remove Elf Bar 600 products from shelves due to illegal levels of e-liquid, Elf Bar called a meeting with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Elf Bar subsequently released a statement regarding the controversy.

    “Recent press reports alleged questions around the compliance of the Elf Bar 600 on the U.K. market,” a company press release stated. “Subsequent to these allegations, we immediately initiated a full investigation of the Elf Bar 600 in the U.K. market and have found that some products exceeded the permitted e-liquid fill level. Although this issue means the products are not compliant in full with U.K. regulations, we did not find any issues with nicotine strength or anything that might mean the products’ safety is compromised in any way.

    “MHRA indicated that their recommendation is for the product to be withdrawn from the market.

    “We agree with this recommendation and will voluntarily carry out a withdrawal of noncompliant Elf Bar 600s from the U.K. market. We will be assisted in ensuring the withdrawal is carried out effectively, and without causing any unnecessary market disruption, by a Trading Standards Primary Authority. We will update all of our distribution and retail partners when we have agreed how this corrective action will be enacted.

    “Although the investigation and definition of corrective actions for the Elf Bar 600 has been undertaking, we have also committed to investigate all other vape products that we export to the U.K. We will take any actions we deem to be required to ensure compliance across our entire product set.”

    Elf Bar was joined by the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) and the IBVTA in the meeting.

    “Although Elf Bar is not a member of the UKVIA, as the industry’s lead trade association, it was key that we were present at such a critical meeting to represent the interests of all businesses in the sector impacted by this highly regrettable situation,” the UKVIA said in a statement. “The decision by Elf Bar to voluntarily withdraw its noncompliant products, recently highlighted in the media, is absolutely the right one.

    “If the industry is going to be accepted as playing a leading role in helping Britain achieve its smoke-free targets, it has to demonstrate the highest levels of compliance, standards and responsibility, which the UKVIA expects.”