ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has responded to the details of a new consultation published by the Department of Health and Social Care on additional restrictions to vaping and nicotine products, raising concerns about the practicality, cost and operational challenges of a proposed vape display ban.
The consultation proposes the introduction of a display ban on all vaping and nicotine products in line with those already in place for tobacco, plain (white) packaging for vaping and nicotine products, and tighter restrictions on the appearance and construction of vaping and heated tobacco devices.
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “A complete ban on vape and nicotine product displays in shops will be costly and complex for retailers to implement in the limited space they have available behind the till point, and we question whether a display ban is necessary alongside proposed packaging restrictions. We need to ensure any new vaping regulations strike the right balance between preventing youth access while still ensuring that vaping products are accessible to adult customers. We will work with the government to ensure these new measures are workable for retailers.”
The consultation states that the Government is seeking to strike a balance between vaping products being less appealing for young people, but still more appealing than tobacco.
The full consultation document is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tobacco-and-vapes-packaging-appearance-and-display
