The UK government's consultation, "Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping," aims to address the significant health risks associated with smoking and the rising trend of youth vaping. Smoking, responsible for about 80,000 deaths per year in the UK, is a major public health concern. The consultation reveals that the number of children using vapes has tripled in the past three years, with 20.5% of children in Great Britain having tried vaping in 2023.
The consultation is focused on three main areas: creating a smokefree generation, tackling youth vaping, and enhancing enforcement measures. It proposes new legislation to prevent tobacco sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively raising the smoking age annually. This approach, similar to New Zealand's, aims to make it an offence to sell tobacco products to this age group. Other proposals include regulating the sale and supply of disposable vapes, and considering regulations for non-nicotine vapes.
Another significant aspect of the consultation is the proposal to restrict vape flavours, a measure aimed at reducing their appeal to youth. Research indicates that children are particularly attracted to fruit and sweet flavours. Options being considered include limiting vape descriptions, ingredients, and characterising flavours.
The consultation seeks input from various stakeholders, including the public, healthcare professionals, and the retail sector. It's part of the UK's commitment to the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, aiming to develop public health policy free from the influence of the tobacco industry.
For customers who want to have their say, they can participate in the consultation by providing detailed responses and evidence through the consultation document's multiple-choice questions and free text boxes. This is an opportunity for individuals and businesses to voice their opinions and potentially influence future legislation and public health strategies.
Here at Juice33 we welcome any changes to legislation that make what we do safer and better for people and the environment.
