ASH response to PM crackdown on vape shops

Responding to the government announcement “PM vows to save “hollowed out high streets” with crackdown on vape and betting shops”, Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action and Smoking and Health said:

“This feels like a knee-jerk announcement and it’s hard to see how it will make a meaningful difference on vape shops. There is no question that the vaping market needs much tougher regulation, particularly to protect children and remove the promotion of vapes from their sight. The comprehensive Tobacco and Vapes Act already includes strong powers to curb marketing and a licensing scheme that would apply to both existing and new shops selling tobacco and nicotine products, whereas new planning laws would likely only apply to new premises. 

“Moreover, it’s unhelpful to treat all vape shops like rogue businesses when some play an important role in helping adults to quit smoking. It’s possible to crack down hard on irresponsible retailers and youth-focused marketing without undermining vaping’s role as a substantially less harmful alternative for adults who smoke.”

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