Tobacco/Vaping - Neighbourhood Retailer https://neighbourhoodretailer.com The authoritative voice of the grocery industry in Northern Ireland Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:33:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-NR-SIte-Icon-2-32x32.png Tobacco/Vaping - Neighbourhood Retailer https://neighbourhoodretailer.com 32 32 178129390 DUP MPs vote against Tobacco & Vapes Bill https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/dup-mps-vote-against-tobacco-vapes-bill/ Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:33:12 +0000 https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/?p=31267 DUP MPs have voted against the generational smoking ban, the proposed legislation to make it illegal for those born after 2009 to be sold cigarettes.

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DUP MPs have voted against the generational smoking ban, the proposed legislation to make it illegal for those born after 2009 to be sold cigarettes.

Westminster MPs had their first debate on the Tobacco & Vapes Bill on Tuesday 16th April, with it passing by 383 votes to 67 in the Commons.

Several conservative MPs voted against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Bill, however it is still expected to become law.

Alliance MP Stephen Farry was the only Northern Ireland MP to vote in favour of the ban.

The controversial bill also aims to restrict vape flavours, packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has previously confirmed that NI will be included in the Bill, subject to approval by the Assembly. He said he fully supported the UK Government’s plans to create a smokefree generation and to tackle youth vaping.

Speaking in the Chamber, DUP MP Sammy Wilson voiced his concerns about how the law would be implemented and concerns about retailers.

The debate came as a Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) survey has revealed that 80% of those surveyed had bought illegal tobacco in the previous year.

The survey, carried out between October and December 2023, questioned 12,000 smokers on their attitudes, awareness and understanding of illegal tobacco. The results also showed that nearly three quarters of respondents have seen an illegal 20-pack of cigarettes priced between £3 and £6 (compared to the mean average RRP of £15.26 for a legal packet).

Despite government attempts to curb the problem, the illegal tobacco market is growing. While the number of adult smokers in the UK has decreased by 30% (to 12% of the UK population) since the TMA commissioned its first ‘Anti-Illicit Trade Survey’ in 2014, the number of respondents who claim to purchase non-UK duty paid tobacco has reached a new high point of 80%, with one in five smokers only buying ‘branded’ tobacco, even though all legal tobacco has been sold in plain packaging in the UK since 2016 – eight years ago.

Almost two thirds of survey respondents claimed repeated hikes in tobacco taxes couple with the cost-of-living pressures meant they have changed their tobacco spending habits, up from 39% in 2022.

Retailers have raised concerns about the Bill, citing the increase in sales of illicit tobacco and vapes.

Rupert Lewis, Director of the TMA said that the illegal tobacco market in the UK has now reached an inflection point.

“In previous years, the TMA Anti-Illicit Trade Survey has painted a picture of a stubbornly resilient illegal tobacco trade, which in spite of overall smoking rates downtrending year-on-year, has remained resistant to decline,” said Mr Lewis.

“I believe that there will be profound and far-reaching repercussions for consumers, retailers, law enforcement agencies and communities across the UK if a phased generational ban becomes law. In time, it will push the entire UK tobacco market underground, and I urge the government to reflect hard on the consequences of this policy decision and the lasting impact that it will have on the UK.”

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Tobacco & Vapes Bill faces first MPs debate in Westminster https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/tobacco-vapes-bill-faces-first-mps-debate-in-westminster/ Tue, 16 Apr 2024 09:59:45 +0000 https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/?p=31255 MPs in Westminster are debating the Tobacco & Vapes Bill, with its second reading on Tuesday 16th April giving them the first opportunity to debate

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MPs in Westminster are debating the Tobacco & Vapes Bill, with its second reading on Tuesday 16th April giving them the first opportunity to debate and vote on the issue.

Introduced in March this year, the Bill wants to create the UK’s first ‘smokefree’ generation, making it illegal for those born since 2009 (children turning 15 this year) to be sold cigarettes.

The controversial bill also aims to restrict vape flavours, packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has previously confirmed that NI will be included in the Bill, subject to approval by the Assembly. He said he fully supported the UK Government’s plans to create a smokefree generation and to tackle youth vaping.

The debate comes as a Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) survey has revealed that 80% of those surveyed had bought illegal tobacco in the previous year.

The survey, carried out between October and December 2023, questioned 12,000 smokers on their attitudes, awareness and understanding of illegal tobacco. The results also showed that nearly three quarters of respondents have seen an illegal 20-pack of cigarettes priced between £3 and £6 (compared to the mean average RRP of £15.26 for a legal packet).

TOBACCO SPENDING HABITS

Despite government attempts to curb the problem, the illegal tobacco market is growing. While the number of adult smokers in the UK has decreased by 30% (to 12% of the UK population) since the TMA commissioned its first ‘Anti-Illicit Trade Survey’ in 2014, the number of respondents who claim to purchase non-UK duty paid tobacco has reached a new high point of 80%, with one in five smokers only buying ‘branded’ tobacco, even though all legal tobacco has been sold in plain packaging in the UK since 2016 – eight years ago.

Almost two thirds of survey respondents claimed repeated hikes in tobacco taxes couple with the cost-of-living pressures meant they have changed their tobacco spending habits, up from 39% in 2022.

Strikingly, the survey also found that every UK region had seen an increase in the purchase of illegal tobacco since 2019, with the exception of the South East of England, where there has been no change.

Under the proposed Tobacco & Vapes Bill, Trading Standards officers’ powers would be strengthened with on-the-spot fines of £100 to uphold new laws and clamp down on underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.

Some Conservative MPs have said they will not support the Bill, however it is anticipated it will likely pass as Labour does support it.

‘FAR-REACHING REPERCUSSIONS’

Many retailers have raised concerns about the Bill, citing the increase in sales of illicit tobacco and vapes.

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said a ban on disposable vapes would only fuel illicit sales, with National President Muntazir Dipoti stating that banning disposable vapes would “not help people give up smoking and vaping” and would “fuel the illicit market”.

Rupert Lewis, Director of the TMA said that the illegal tobacco market in the UK has now reached an inflection point.

“In previous years, the TMA Anti-Illicit Trade Survey has painted a picture of a stubbornly resilient illegal tobacco trade, which in spite of overall smoking rates downtrending year-on-year, has remained resistant to decline,” said Mr Lewis.

“I believe that there will be profound and far-reaching repercussions for consumers, retailers, law enforcement agencies and communities across the UK if a phased generational ban becomes law. In time, it will push the entire UK tobacco market underground, and I urge the government to reflect hard on the consequences of this policy decision and the lasting impact that it will have on the UK.”

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Government tobacco and vapes bill introduced to Parliament https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/government-tobacco-and-vapes-bill-introduced-to-parliament/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:41:53 +0000 https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/?p=31089 The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has moved a step further after it was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday 20th March. Under the bill, children turning

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The Tobacco and Vapes Bill has moved a step further after it was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday 20th March.

Under the bill, children turning 15 this year or younger will never legally be able to be sold tobacco.

New powers to restrict vape flavours, packaging and change how vapes are displayed in shops also form part of the bill.

Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed that NI will be included in Westminster’s Tobacco & Vapes Bill, subject to approval by the Assembly. He said he fully supported the UK Government’s plans to create a smokefree generation and to tackle youth vaping.

Health Minister Robin Swann

“If there are measures available that will reduce preventable deaths, help people live longer, healthier lives then, as Health Minister, I must advocate for them,” said Mr Swann.

On 20th March the Bill started in the House of Commons, currently in its second reading, before progressing to Committee Stage.

Under the bill, enforcement officers’ powers would be strengthened with ‘on the spot fines’ of £100 to uphold new laws and clamp down on underage sales of tobacco and vaping products.

The UK Government’s plans also include a ban on disposable vapes, with the proposed ban anticipated to be progressed under environmental legislation in GB, while the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is considering the next steps for Northern Ireland.

However, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said a ban on disposable vapes would only fuel illicit sales, with National President Muntazir Dipoti stating that banning disposable vapes would “not help people give up smoking and vaping” and would “fuel the illicit market”.

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Northern Ireland to be included in UK Government’s tobacco and vapes bill https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/northern-ireland-to-be-included-in-uk-governments-tobacco-and-vapes-bill/ Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:20:27 +0000 https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/?p=30911 Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed that Northern Ireland will be included in Westminster’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, subject to approval by the Assembly. Mr

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Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed that Northern Ireland will be included in Westminster’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, subject to approval by the Assembly.

Mr Swann said that he fully supported the UK Government’s plans to create a smoke-free generation and to tackle youth vaping.

Health Minister Robin Swann

He added that parents and teachers had shared their concerns with him on the growing trend among young people vaping, and that many people in Northern Ireland were also fully behind the government’s plans.

“While vaping can play a role in supporting smoking cessation, the public health advice remains clear – if you don’t smoke or vape, keep it that way – this is particularly important for children and young people,” said Mr Swann.

“If there are measures available that will reduce preventable deaths, help people live longer, healthier lives then, as Health Minister, I must advocate for them.

“Following the restoration of the NI Executive and with their support, I requested that Northern Ireland be included in the UK Government bill and this has now been agreed. Ultimately, it will be for the NI Assembly to take a final decision on our inclusion.

“Having previously introduced legislation in 2021 to help protect children from the harms of tobacco smoke and vaping, I am confident that these latest measures, if passed, will enable us to go a step further and create a future where our young people are free from these dangers.”

‘The government needs to make more financial resources available for educational campaigns’

National President of the Fed, Muntazir Dipoti

UK Minister for Public Health, Andrea Leadsom welcomed the news that Northern Ireland will “bring forward the smoke-free generation”.

“It’s excellent our Northern Ireland colleagues will join us in tackling the worrying rise in youth vaping – putting children’s health first.”

The UK Government plans also includes a ban on disposable vapes, with the proposed ban anticipated to be progressed under environmental legislation in Great Britain. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is considering the next steps for Northern Ireland.

However, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) said a ban on disposable vapes would only fuel illicit sales.

“Banning disposable vapes in the UK will not help people give up smoking and vaping but will fuel the illicit market,” said National President, Muntazir Dipoti.

To clamp down on young people vaping, the government needed to make more financial resources available for educational campaigns, while more enforcement activity was required, especially at borders to prevent counterfeit products entering the market, Mr Dipoti added.

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Organistion to clamp down on e-cigarette advertising with enforcement notice https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/organistion-to-clamp-down-on-e-cigarette-advertising-with-enforcement-notice/ Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:26:20 +0000 https://neighbourhoodretailer.com/?p=30864 The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) is set to take action against e-cigarette adverts breaking its rules, it has announced. Issuing an Enforcement Notice to

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The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) is set to take action against e-cigarette adverts breaking its rules, it has announced.

Issuing an Enforcement Notice to advertisers, the organisation has launched focused monitoring to find and ban what it calls “problem ads”.

The move comes amidst increased awareness of the selling of vapes and e-cigarettes to those under 18, with changes to be made to flavours and designs of products in a bid to make them less appealing to children and young people.

As they are prohibited by law to those under 18, this means that under CAP’s rules, they are also banned from being advertised in various media and cannot be targeted at children.

As part of CAP’s commitment to protecting young people from potential harms, they have been monitoring and tackling problem vaping ads appearing on social media.

FACTUAL PRODUCT CLAIMS

Last year, they issued an Enforcement Notice to e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers requiring them to stop paid promotions on TikTok. CAP is now expanding its efforts across other social media platforms and to their social media accounts.

According to CAP’s rules, advertisers cannot directly or indirectly market nicotine-containing e-cigarettes that aren’t licensed as medicines on most social media. This means, they cannot be promoted in paid-for posts or in non-paid-for posts on non-private accounts, such as on TikTok, Instagram or Facebook.

In the few spaces where ads for vapes are allowed, such as on company websites, they must not be targeted or appeal particularly to under 18s and can only contain factual claims about products.

Following this notice, advertisers have until 28th March to ensure their ads are compliant, and after that CAP will conduct enhanced monitoring, using their Active Ad Monitoring system, to find ads which may break their rules and take action where they do.

‘Our Enforcement Notice leaves traders in no doubt about their obligations’

Shahriar Coupal, Secretary of CAP said: “The law prohibits e-cigarette ads appearing on most social media accounts, so it’s simply unacceptable for companies to advertise in these spaces.

“AI-assisted monitoring tells us that these companies are typically small traders promoting e-cigarettes through their social media accounts or incentivising others to do so, most likely in ignorance of our rules and the law.

“Our Enforcement Notice leaves traders in no doubt about their obligations under both and makes clear that e-cigarette promotions through social media channels need to stop. For those that fail to do so, we and our enforcement partners won’t hesitate to sanction them.”

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