Letters from Richard Hyslop of the Independent British Vape Trade Association; and Caroline Russell, Green party London assembly member

It is welcome news that last year vaping contributed to a record number of people in England becoming long-term ex-smokers (Number of smokers in England drops to all-time low, 20 September). If the government, working with the responsible vape industry, introduced a proportionate regulatory regime for the sector then vape products could help even more smokers switch to vaping. But regulations introduced in May of this year will restrict advertising of vape products; remove higher-strength nicotine e-liquid and larger tanks from the market; and force all products, including those not containing nicotine, to carry a health warning. Plans are even being considered within the European commission to subject vaping to additional taxation. Far from encouraging smokers to switch to vaping, these regulations will make switching harder, by restricting access to information, pushing up prices, and removing some of the more effective products from the market.

As a responsible trade association, we are not anti-regulation. On the contrary, our members want to work with policymakers to deliver robust, proportionate, and fit for purpose regulation. Under such a regime vaping would flourish and achieve its full potential in providing a viable and significantly less harmful alternative to tobacco products as well as providing a significant and much needed boost to the UK economy.
Richard Hyslop
Chief executive, Independent British Vape Trade Association

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Source: Guardian Environment