United Kingdom - Tobacco Reporter

U.K. to Consider Khan Recommendations

The U.K. government said it will consider the recommendations of a report on smoking and publish its own plan in due course, Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said in a written statement to Parliament.

“The independent review will help to inform our upcoming White Paper on Health Disparities, which we plan to publish this summer. To complement this, the department will also be publishing a new tobacco control plan in due course,” Javid’s statement said.

Earlier this year, Javid commissioned an independent review into ways the government can help more people quit smoking and live healthier lives, led by Javed Khan, former CEO of children’s charity Barnardo’s.

That review was published today. The key recommendations are: increased investment of an additional £125 million ($156.66 million) per year in smoke-free 2030 policies, with an extra £70 million per year ringfenced for stop-smoking services; raising the age of sale from 18 by one year every year until eventually no one can buy a tobacco product in this country; promotion of vapes as an effective “swap to stop” tool to help people quit smoking; and improving prevention in the NHS so smokers are offered advice and support to quit at every interaction they have with health services.

Other interventions recommended in the report include a tobacco license for retailers to limit the availability of tobacco across the country; a rethink of the way cigarette sticks and packets look to reduce their appeal; and a mass media campaign to encourage smokers to quit.

Creeping prohibition won’t stop young adults smoking. It will simply drive the sale of tobacco underground and consumers will buy cigarettes on the black market where no-one pays tax and products are completely unregulated.

Simon Clark, director, Forest

“My proposals are not just a plan for this government, but successive governments too,” said Khan. “To truly achieve a smokefree society in our great country, we need to commit to making smoking obsolete, once and for all.” The U.K. aims having 5 percent or fewer smokers by 2030.

Smokers rights activists condemned the proposal to raise the age of sale of tobacco.

“Creeping prohibition won’t stop young adults smoking. It will simply drive the sale of tobacco underground and consumers will buy cigarettes on the black market where no-one pays tax and products are completely unregulated,” said Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ group Forest.

“Ultimately this is about freedom of choice and personal responsibility and ministers must think very carefully before they adopt prohibition and coercion as tools to achieve their smoke-free goal.”

Mr. Khan unambiguously states that one of the critical ways the government can get its ambitions for a smoke free society back on track is through greater promotion of vaping.

John Dunne, director general, UKVIA

Tobacco harm reduction activists welcomed the report’s recognition of vaping as a tool to help smokers quit.

“We couldn’t agree more with this report’s stark message for the government, which is that, without immediate action, it will miss its smoke-free targets by seven years,” said John Dunne, director general of the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), in a statement.

“The NHS [National Health Service] tells us that around 78,000 people in the U.K. die every year from smoking, with many more living with debilitating smoking-related illnesses, so the time for inaction is over.

“Mr. Khan unambiguously states that one of the critical ways the government can get its ambitions for a smoke-free society back on track is through greater promotion of vaping, and the UKVIA, which represents vaping organizations including retailers, manufacturers and distributors, will do everything we can to support this.”

Clark noted that encouraging smokers to switch to reduced-risk products such as e-cigarettes is sensible “as long as it is voluntary and based on educating consumers about the relative risks of different nicotine products.”

June 9, 2022

FEELM Joins Vaping Awareness Campaign

SMOORE’s flagship atomization tech brand FEELM has signed up to the VApril 2022 consumer awareness campaign to offer specialist smoking-cessation advice to U.K. smokers and encourage them to switch to less harmful alternatives.

Established by the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), VApril is the largest campaign worldwide to promote smoking cessation through switchover to vaping.

“Research has shown that vaping increases the likelihood of a successful cigarette quit attempt by 50 percent and is now the U.K.’s most popular way to quit” said John Dunne, director-general of UKVIA.

“However, suspect science and misinformation on vaping are discouraging many smokers from switching to a less harmful alternative. We need to take an evidence-based approach to educate the public about vaping which is what Vapril was designed to do. It is great to see UKVIA member FEELM supporting these events this month.”

During VApril vaping awareness month, FEELM will present the most up-to-date evidence-based vaping facts on social media targeting adult smokers, to help them make the most informed choices.

In April, FEELM teamed up with specialist vape retailer Vapourcore, to give away Core Pro disposable vapes to adult vapers and smokers seeking to switch in London and Manchester. Vapourcore and FEELM jointly introduced this ultra-slim disposable product with ceramic coil in early 2022.

Built to be lightweight and compact, Core Pro is designed specifically for adult smokers looking to switch. It includes a bowl-shaped FEELM ceramic coil with a microporous surface, which increases the surface area in contact with the e-liquid, hence uniform temperatures around the whole coil, lowering the risk of burnt tastes. Moreover, the FEELM ceramic coil features a unique anti-condensation and maze-shaped structure that prevents leakage and spit-back. In 2021, Pro Core won 2021 MUSE Design Award for its technology and design.

“Our aim was to produce a high quality and elegant vaping product for adult smokers and the Core Pro is just this” said Vapourcore CEO Charles Bloom. “Utilizing the FEELM ceramic coil gives the Core Pro a uniquely smooth, flavorsome and very efficient nicotine delivery far superior to other disposables.”

April 25, 2022

Survey: Smokers Happy to Buy Illicit Tobacco

Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of participants in a poll among U.K. smokers bought illicit tobacco in the past year, according to a recent survey reported in Talking Retail.

The figure is down from 2019, when the same survey found that 78 percent of respondents said that they had bought illicit tobacco.

One challenge for the industry is that few consumers have moral reservations about purchasing illicit products. Sixty-eight percent of survey participants said they had no issue with buying tobacco this way.

Carried out by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA), the survey of 12,000 smokers also found that nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of respondents bought their illicit tobacco from social media sites.

“There is positive news in this year’s survey findings, with more people reporting illicit tobacco when they were aware of it—a major uplift to 32 percent compared with 17 percent in 2017—and a decline in people purchasing illegal tobacco in every region across the U.K., with the exception of London,” said Rupert Lewis, director of the TMA.

“However, the 2021 findings still highlight the continued widespread availability of illicit tobacco as well as the entrenched perception among many consumers that it is ‘acceptable’ to trade or buy illicit

April 5, 2022

U.K. Acknowledges Vaping’s THR Role

The U.K. Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) has acknowledged the role of vaping in smoking harm reduction, according to the U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA).

In its review of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR) laws, which was published on March 25, the DHSC noted existing TRPR regulations “met their original objectives” and that they “could not be better achieved through alternative regulatory measures.”

The government has set itself a target of reducing the amount of U.K. smokers to just 5 percent of the population in the next eight years with the TRPR and other developments, such as the yet to be published Tobacco Control Plan (TCP), set to play a major role in helping to realize that ambition.

“While at first glance this appears to be ‘status quo,’ I see this as a win for the U.K’s vaping sector as the review clearly states the positive impact that vaping can have in helping people to quit smoking,” said John Dunne, director general of the UKVIA.

“As part of the TRPR consultation we submitted a whole raft of proposals aimed at creating a better commercial and regulatory environment to make it easier for the industry to help people trying to give up smoking and it is good to see those acknowledged.”

I see this as a win for the U.K’s vaping sector as the review clearly states the positive impact that vaping can have in helping people to quit smoking.

John Dunne, director general, UKVIA

The UKVIA, which promotes vaping as a much less harmful alternative to smoking and its significant impact in helping smokers quit, as well as dispelling the misinformation on vaping that exists, submitted a landmark package of recommendations to the TRPR consultation, including:

The use of government-approved expert health claims on products to address misinformation leading to misperceptions on vaping, and therefore encourage smokers to switch
Greater opportunities to engage with smokers, as current regulations restrict vaping’s ability to provide smokers with evidence-based knowledge to make informed decisions when looking to quit
The extension of certain regulations to cover additional vaping products, such as non-nicotine e-liquids, thereby ensuring a highly responsible and safe industry.

“What this tells me is that the industry is doing its job in bringing to the fore some of the things that have been holding back vaping’s ability to support the government’s smokefree targets to full effect,” said Dunne.

“We have to remember this is only a review of all points made and some initial positions the government is taking; our hope now is that those proposals and recommendations are carried forward and manifested in the Tobacco Control Plan.

“So, while in some respects it is disappointing that the government hasn’t taken forward the measured, evidence-based reviews put forward by the UKVIA, there is still positivity that in addition to forthcoming TCP, our recommendations can also inform and influence the Health Disparities White Paper and independent review into tobacco control policies.”

March 27, 2022

British Authorities Seize Illicit Tobacco

Authorities seized 13 million illegal cigarettes and 4,300 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco across England and Wales, reports City AM.

The operation involved raids on homes and shops conducted by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff, Border Force officials, police and local authorities. The raids are part of a broader strategy aiming to tackle the government’s “three ‘tiers’ of criminality,” with HMRC shutting down illegal factories abroad and Border Force intercepting smuggled products and cash at the border.

Illegal trade costs the treasury £2 billion ($2.61 billion) each year. The government has implemented high and increasing tobacco tax, raising duty by 2 percent above the rate of inflation each year in order to discourage consumption and raise revenue. As duties have increased, though, illegal trade has also increased.

According to the European Anti-Fraud Office, 70 percent of U.K. consumers buy black market tobacco products because they are cheaper than legal products.

March 15, 2022

U.K. Regulators Release E-Cig Pricing Guidance

The U.K. Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have released an enforcement notice for promotional online pricing of e-cigarettes.

According to the notice, CAP writes the advertising rules, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority, the U.K.’s independent advertising regulator.

The enforcement notice relates to the manner in which e-cigarette pricing appears on websites. According to CAP, companies are allowed to present factual information but not in a way that would constitute promotion. The enforcement notice states that some companies are portraying pricing in ways that would be considered promotion, for example, emphasizing discounts and savings.

“Please take immediate action to ensure your advertising complies,” the notice states. “We will be monitoring websites in the coming months. If we see continued problems in this area, we will take targeted enforcement action to ensure a level playing field. This may include—where advertisers are unwilling to comply—referral to our legal backstop.”

February 25, 2022

UKVIA Anticipates Busy Year for Vaping

The U.K. Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) anticipates a busy year for the sector, the industry group noted at the publication of its 2021 annual report.

Among other activities, the association looks forward to launching its first Economic Impact Report, which will be used to highlight the vaping industry’s significant contribution to the British economy and support engagement with policymakers and the media.

The UKVIA also plans to roll out of a levelling-up campaign designed to achieve recognition for the important role that vaping plays in reducing health inequalities across the U.K.

In addition, the group intends to build on the launch this year of the UKVIA’s healthcare campaign, which has included the development of a dedicated online advice hub for healthcare professionals and patients with smoking conditions.

This year will also witness the conclusion of the review of the U.K. Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, which will shape the future of the industry for years to come, according to the UKVIA.

Coinciding with the UKVIA’s annual vaping industry forum, planned for June 2022, the group is planning a new awards event to recognize the high standards within the industry.

January 29, 2022

Campaigners Attack Cost-of-Smoking Claim

Smokers’ rights campaigners have rejected a claim that smokers cost society £17 billion ($23.3 billion) a year in the U.K.—£5 billion more than previously estimated.

On Jan. 14, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) published an economic analysis of U.K. data suggesting that the cost of smoking is significantly higher than previous estimates have shown.

The higher estimate is a result of a new assessment of the impact of smoking on productivity. According to ASH, smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to become ill while of working age, increasing the likelihood being out of work and reducing the average wages of smokers. Smokers are also more likely to die while they are still of working age, creating a further loss to the economy.

The report also cites smoking-related fires as a major cost to society, in the form of fire-related deaths, injuries and property damage.

“The suggestion that smokers are a significant economic burden on society is absurd,” countered Simon Clark, director of the smokers’ lobby group Forest.

“More than 80 percent of the cost of tobacco in the UK is tax and the revenue from the sale of legal tobacco is almost £10 billion a year. That’s a fact.

“In contrast, the contrived claim that smoking costs society £17 billion is based on nothing more than estimates and calculations.

“As well as making a huge contribution to the public purse, smokers make a significant contribution to the local economy because without the money they spend on tobacco many village shops and convenience stores would lose a regular source of income.

“The health risks of smoking are well known. If adults choose to smoke that’s a matter for them not government. Ministers must remember that and not be swayed by exaggerated claims about the cost of smoking to society.”

January 14, 2022

Dentsu to Operate U.K. Track-and-Trace System

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom has appointed Dentsu Tracking with the establishment and operation of the new digital tobacco track-and-trace system, replacing the current provider, DeLaRue. The new system becomes operational on July 1, 2022.

“I am very pleased about HMRC’s decision to task Dentsu Tracking with the establishment and operation of the new digital U.K. tobacco track-and-trace system,” said Dentsu Managing Director Philippe Castella in a statement. “Dentsu Tracking brings a wealth of experience and expertise in supply chain control, and we are thrilled to team up with HMRC in their fight against the illicit tobacco trade, helping them to increase revenue collection and protecting citizens and legitimate businesses in the U.K.”

All businesses engaged in the manufacture, importation or supply of tobacco products in the U.K. will need to report their activities to the new track-and-trace system.

“Leveraging the advantages of digital technology, Dentsu will deliver a track-and-trace system tailored to the specifics of the U.K. market,” said Jan Hoffmann, director of regulatory affairs. “It will provide HMRC with a high level of government control over the tobacco supply chain, allowing enforcement bodies to detect the different forms of illicit trade and curb the circulation of noncompliant products. The new system also enables the U.K. government to comply with the WHO FCTC Protocol.”

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Dentsu Tracking is a provider of digital supply chain control solutions.

January 11, 2022

Tag: United Kingdom