London, UK: The government has announced plans to crack down on vape marketing and close a loophole that enables retailers to provide free vape samples to children. Chancellor Mr. Rishi Sunak described the targeting of children and teenagers as “unacceptable” and emphasized the need to curb their use of vaping products.

The proposed measures also include a review of the regulations surrounding the sale of “nicotine-free” products to individuals under the age of 18. The Labour Party has referred to the announcement as a “baby step” and urged for more immediate action to be taken.

Additionally, the government intends to review the rules governing fines for shops selling illicit vapes. By tightening the law, local trading standards officials would have an easier time issuing on-the-spot fines and fixed penalty notices to retailers selling vapes to underage individuals.

Although selling vapes to individuals under the age of 18 is already illegal, nicotine-free products are currently allowed to be sold. The government cited NHS figures indicating a rise in underage vaping, with inexpensive and visually appealing products appealing to children.

According to recent NHS statistics, in 2021, nine percent of 11- to 15-year-olds reported using e-cigarettes, up from six percent in 2018. A government survey revealed that two out of five young people admitted to trying vaping “just to give it a try,” while approximately one in five cited peer influence as the reason for their usage.

The issue of vaping by children has triggered a fast-moving debate on how to address the problem. Teachers and parents have expressed concerns about the increased availability of these products, with some students admitting to nicotine addiction resulting from vaping.

While the law prohibits the sale of nicotine products to individuals under the age of 18, tobacco products cannot be given out for free to minors. However, this is not currently the case for nicotine products such as vapes.

The government acknowledged that while most businesses do not engage in this practice, some unscrupulous traders are exploiting the existing loophole. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) data revealed that approximately 20,000 children in the UK received free vapes over the past year. The proposed measures seek to address these concerns and promote the well-being of young people by closing the loophole, reviewing the regulations on nicotine-free products, and strengthening penalties for the sale of illicit vapes to underage individuals.

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