Fed urges members to start preparing for Tobacco and Vape Changes

(Pictured: the Fed’s President, Hemanshu Patel)

The Fed is urging members to prepare for changes which are coming forward in October regarding the sale and marketing of vape products and related products. Meanwhile, the Fed is continuing to lobby government to ensure the needs and concerns of independent retailers is heard at this time of significant regulatory change.

Key dates include:

October 1^st:

• Vape Fluid Levy: The Fed’s reminding retailers to prepare for the new vape fluid levy of £2.20 per 10ml which is taking effect from 1^st अक्टूबर, see previous Fed update here.

October 29^ठ:

• Child sales of nicotine pouches and non-nicotine vapes banned: From 29^ठ October, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the age of sale for all vape and nicotine products will be set at 18 – which impacts nicotine pouches and zero-nicotine vapes, as only vapes with nicotine were covered by this age restriction before now.
• Proxy purchasing ban for vapes: from 29^ठ October, people will also be banned from selling vapes to under 18s.
• The ban on free distribution of vapes and vape products:  It will also be illegal to give away free samples, promotional product giveaways, or associated discount coupons of vaping and nicotine items to any member of the public.
• Ban on “substantial discounts” on vaping and nicotine products: these bans don’t include selling existing stock at discounted price, it bans sales at “a price reduction that significantly lowers the cost of a product compared with its standard selling price.” Penalties for this offence – and on free distribution of vapes – are set to be £200 in England, Wales and Scotland and are likely to be similar in Northern Ireland once approved.
• Government guidance: more information is available on the government website here.

January 1^st:

• Generational Smoking Ban starts: no one born after 1^st January 2009 will be able to buy cigarettes.

The Fed has been vocal in its call for the government to engage independent retailers on some of the changes coming down the line effecting tobacco and vapes, particularly those taking effect as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act. Whilst some changes like tobacco licencing are likely to come in the next few years, and the Fed is preparing for a consultation at the moment on restricting vape packaging, flavours and shop display ban, retailers in the UK will need to start preparing for these measures.