The government claims more stringent measures are needed because of a rise in people taking up e-cigarettes as a ‘lifestyle choice’ rather than to quit smoking
Independent retailers have shared concerns over new proposals to further restrict the advertising and promotion of vaping products by the Scottish government.
Under new plans, the advertising of e-cigarettes, through leaflets and flyers and in-store media would be banned, alongside free or cut-price samples.
The government claims more stringent measures are needed because of a rise in people taking up e-cigarettes as a “lifestyle choice” rather than to quit smoking.
In particular, it said the number of non-smoking teenagers who have tried vapes has risen.
However, several Scottish store owners told betterRetailing they were being disproportionately targeted in an effort to answer a wider societal problem.
Industry body reacts to proposed Scottish regulatory measures for e-cigarettes
Mo Razzaq, owner of Premier Mo’s Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, said the proposals would affect his sales of vapes due to promotion reductions. “Vaping has been backed by the NHS as a way to give up smoking, so I think the government should be pushing this message instead of turning into big brother,” he said.
“I sell a lot of zero-nicotine vapes, and I was going to advertise this on my gantry, but under these
BetterRetailing.com – 2022-05-20.
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